Holidays for War-Workers
The provision of at least one day's rest every week and a minimum of one week's holiday in the year, for every war- worker is recognised by the Government to be a necessity not only for the happiness of the workers, but for their efficiency in production. It was one thing to apply the utmost pressure on munition-workers in the weeks immediately following Dun- kirk, for then the urgent necessity of re-equipping the expedi- tionary force over-ruled all other considerations. The human machine can stand a violent strain for a limited period, but if it is maintained too long the machine must deteriorate. In a prolonged war it is necessary to find a just balance between hard work, which is sure to involve overtime, and excessive work which tends to slow down production and subtract from hours of employment owing to recurrent illnesses. The facts have been thoroughly examined by researches into conditions of in,lustrial fatigue, and there would be no justification for a repei,tion of the mistakes of the last war. The one day of rest week is essential for everyone, and an annual holiday of at least a week and preferably a fortnight is invaluable for PhYs:•=a1 and mental refreshment, and is likely to pay for itself in ir.:reased energy. What form a summer holiday should take tinder present conditions is another question—access to reser - on the south or east coast is no longer to be had, and most holiday billets elsewhere are occupied 'by workers or evacu.es. Many people will be exploring the possibilities of h°11Lys at home.
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