LOSS OF PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1940, Page 6

LOSS OF PRODUCTION

ON ACCOUNT OF ABSENCE FROM WORK / QUESTION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The question of loss of production by workers absenting themselves from their employment was raised in the House of Representatives, when it met today at 10.30 a.m., by Mr W. J. Polson, who quoted remarks made at the New Zealand Manufacturers’ annual conference that such workers often absented themselves for very trivial excuses. Mr Pclson asked the Prime Minister what action the Government intended to take in the matter. Mr Fraser pointed out the danger in war time of members picking up ex parte statements and putting them across as ascertained facts. He said he understood that the statement referred to girl workers and anyone with elementary knowledge of industrial factors knew that special conditions applied to them. SMALL FARMS BILL. Urgency was granted for the passing of the Small Farms Amendment Bill and discussion proceeded throughout the morning on the Committee stages of the measure. The first amendment was moved by Mr Pqlson, on Clause 2 of the Bill, when he moved that the words “in the present war,” be struck out, thus making the Act applicable to all men who had served in the forces. The amendment was rejected by 42 votes to 19. Further consideration of Clause 2 was deferred until later, when the Minister stated he would have an amendment to move to the clause. At the luncheon adjournment discussion was proceeding on an amendment moved by Mr Gordon to Clause 3 of the Bill, to give soldiers the right to apply for the fee-simple of land, as well as the leasehold.