WORKING LONGER WEEK

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 12

WORKING LONGER WEEK

AUCKLAND FIRM'S CASE FURTHER INFORMATION Fuller information concerning the complaint regarding the application of an Auckland firm for the rlght to work 44 hours a week at ordinary rates of pay for the purpose of munition-making, throws light on the attitude of the Industrial Emergency Council and the Minister of Labour, the Hon. P. C. Webb. It will be recalled that complaint was made that though the workers engaged by the particular firm in question volunteered to work the extra weekly hours on munition work, at ordinary rates of pay, the Minister wrote intimating that the Industrial Emergency Council, after careful consideration, held that "there was not sufficient evidence to enable the application for -an extension of hours to be granted at the present juncture." It would seem: (1) The application for an extension of hours made by the Auckland Manufacturers' Association - on behalf of Messrs. Booth, McDonald, was based on the flrm's contract for munition work. (2) The making of munitions by the firm has not yet commenced, although it is expected that it will be commenced in the near future, as soon as the sample castings have been approved by the military authorities. 6 (3) The manager of the works has stated to a Government officer that he can produce the quantity of castings required without any variation of the terms of the Engineers', Moulders', and Boilermakers' award. (4) In the foundry there are 18 men employed, only five of whom would be required on the munition work, the others being engaged on the firm's ordinary commercial work of agricultural implement making. » (5) The extension of hours applied for was for the whole 18 men, not for those engaged in munition work only. (6) The application of the firm was not refused, but was only deferred pending evidence of necessity. (7) There was no evidence before the committee of the Emergency Councii that the workers had volunteered to work extended hours, but it is a fact that when asked by their employer if they would do so, they had consented on condition that it was on munition work only.