HOURS OF WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 June 1939, Page 7

HOURS OF WORK

REDUCTION NOT FAVOURED. EFFECT OF INTERNATIONAL UNREST. GENEVA, May. In a report on reduction of hours of work in industry and commerce submitted to the International Labour Conference in Geneva it was disclosed that of 25 governments which had replied to a questionnaire sent out last autumn by the 1.L.0. only 7 governments favoured a 40-hour week. Nine others were definitely opposed to any reduction of the work week below 48 hours and the remaining 9. while favouring the principle of a shorter week declared that they could not contemplate a reduction at this time. The report pointed out that in the present state of political insecurity and economic instability throughout a grea’ part of the world, governments hesitated to assume an international obligation at this time to reduce hours of work in industry and commerce. “It is obvious,” said the report, “that they wish to remain free, in order to be able to meet any obligations that may be suddenly imposed by the requirements of national military and eco nomic defence. The International Labour Organisation cannot ignore thi present situation. Thus the 1.L.0. is of the opinion that, unless there is a very marked change for the better in the. situation during the next months, the conference would do well to postpone the discussion on the generalisation of the reduction of hours of work in industry and commence, and to refer the question back to the governing body with a request to enter it again on the agenda when the prospects of success are better. “The present situation is altogether exceptional and cannot be other than temporary. When it becomes possible to build up a genuine political and economic peace, the problem of reducing hours of work will be increasingly important and will have to be examined internationally in all its aspects.”