MUST HAVE SUNDAY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 30, 5 February 1916, Page 2

MUST HAVE SUNDAY.

80 impressed have been the Health of Munition Workers' Committee, appointed by Mr. Lloyd George, with t-ho •urgency and importance of the question of Sunday labour by munition workers that they presented an interim report dealing with the subject. Perhaps, they say, employers started on munitions with the idea of a sprint as for a short race instead of as if the course were wer e to be a long one. Sunday has been quite as busy as other days, -and though accurate figures are not generally available, many employers state that seven days' labour only produces six days' output. " There is undoubtedly some tendency towards a reduction of discontinuance of Sunday labour." If the maximum output is to be maintained a weekly period of rest must be allowed. Except for short periods, continuous work is a profound mistake and does not pay—output is not increased. On economic and social grounds this weekly rest is best provided on Sunday. Sunday work should be confined to sudden emergencies and to repairs, etc. This discontinuance should extend to all classes of workers. Various ways of improvement in the meantime are' suggested. In conclusion the committee emphasises the need for action in regard to continuous labour, and say that it may be necessary to impose restrictions in all' controlled establishments.