HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 403, 9 April 1937, Page 6

HOLIDAYS FOR WORKERS.

LABOUR PARTY SUGGESTION. Minister’s Report. | Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, April 3. j Durin.i a debate on a proposal for J paid liol’days for all workers which I took plate at the recent annual con-j terence o v the Labour Party a suggGs jtion was made that a fortnight annually be made mandatory. According io a. report issued tonight. the .Minister of Industries and JommeTce, Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in speaking to the motion recalled that some years, ago with the consent, of the Parliamentary Labour Party he introduced a Bill providing for a fortnight’s paid holiday for all workers every year. -k “During the period that Labour hat' been in power certain new factors have been introduced,” continued the Minister. “There has been a 40-hour week and the restoration of and increases in wa ?ps. Costs of production have thereby beon increased. I am (at present invefiigating claims lof a number of industries that as a (result of industiiai legislation and in- ! creased costs they are no longer able io sustain a position in competition with goods fro - n overseas. “My investigations have not yet proceeded to a. point, where it can be said that the claims can be sustained,” continued the Minister, “bur importations have increased in some of :hose industries. That may be taken to show that some manufacturers are having difficulty in competing, but our investigations are not yet conelusive. I have no doubt that the . Government w ll find .a way for solvjing any difficulty that may be proved. J The increase in imports in one or two of the smaller has reached 100 per cent., but, the turnover on the Ocal market has also increased so hat New Zealand industry may be benefiting at t ie same time. “The conference will see that thit ‘S a most important matter and we must take care not to do anything thfl f Will .. ; . . .

Industry to carry on. If the sum of £lOO,OOO or £200,000’ in costs were added to industry by enforcing extra holidays the. effect’'might be disastrous. If -:he thing is impossible I feel sure that the conference will not recommend that w e should adopt it." t-oncluded Mr. Sullivan The conference passed a recommeu datiori th.a.l the. bovernment should, be askfed t ) give consideration to . the Question of making legislative provision for p.m'd annual holidavs.