WORKING HOURS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1941, Page 3

WORKING HOURS

EXTENSION NOT INTENDED STATEMENT BY MINISTER. REPLY TO GENERAL AGITATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 3. Interviewed concerning the general agitation for an extension of working hours, the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, said this was a question for the Industrial Emergency Council’s consideration. “I would again emphasise,” said the Minister, “the fact that this council consists of an equal number of representatives of employers and workers. The council deals with all applications for extended hours of work in industries, and whereever a case has been put up that, in the council’s opinion, justifies the introduction of shift work or extended hours or any .variation of the award under which the industry operates, a recommendation to that effect is made to me and a regulation issued embodying that recommendation.” “I say quite definitely that in no instance where a case has been made for an extension of hours or variation of an award has it been turned down by the council. “Concerning the general question of extending working hours, it is not the intention of the Government to make any alteration unless on the advice of this council. I say emphatically that the workers of this country are pulling their weight splendidly and most industries, with greatly depleted staffs, are doing excellent work in maintaining production. “As for the agitation for a general extension of hours, I am certain that workers would, within their physical capacity, work any hours considered necessary to help Britain’s war effort. Where extensions of hours or other encroachments upon working conditions have been made, workers have responded without any bickering, being glad to do their utmost for the nation’s war effort.”