THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 456, 27 June 1871, Page 2

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

At a, committee meeting of tbe Drapers' Early Closing Association, held a few evenings ago the following paper was kindly submitted for perusal by Mr. J. R. Vaile, and, after disT^V^ WRS resolved have it printed in all the daily and weekly papers. It will be seen that the assistantß fairly state their case, and look to the public to assist them in carryins out the suggestions contained therein — " The committee of the Early Closing Association take the present opportunity of placing before the employers, and the general public, the following facts connected with the drapery trade bb at present, conduced in Auckland, and especially, as affecting the welfare ,of the body of tradespeople, whose interest it is their dutvand pleasure to represent. In seeking a reduction^ the hours of labor, the committee are e^xidus to place themselves right with the public, and state that tbey are not endeavouring to bring about a state of things opposed to the interest of the employers; on the contrary, they reeeive''f#om,some of them their. „ warmest support, and the committee are strong in the conviction that if the movement is faithfully carried out, it will work as much to the*interest of the employers and the general public as to the employees. , ; At the. present time, six. of the houses in the trade.^pen^ at 8 a.m., and for, five days in the week close At 6 p.m. No reduction of tbes^ hbifi^i Sre - - asked To*; The remainder of thehousesforming the largest proportion, and employing a , considerable number of hands, both male and female, open-at the same hour* and close.-at 8 p.m., making it about balf-past eignt, or later, before tho employees leave the premises; It will thus be clearly seen that by the time these assistants join their families, so farasthey are individually concerned, the day is gone-. Many of them a,re members of'societies, associations, religious denominations, i^ci, having- for their object the welfare of thecommunity at large, 'the developm'dit' and advancement of which would gladly recbivi a portion of their time and attention, were they not wholly debarred from so doing on account of the prbloneed hours of labor as 'i&ovestated. Recreation, admitted by every one tobe so thoroughly essential in procuring * healthy Jbone in the ( human fraaie, under ex- , isting circumstances ia. entirely .ignored.-.'" 1 The committee next wish to direct attention '' to the hour, of closing on Saturday night, at the pretent time adopted by the whole of the drapery trade in Auckland, namely, 11 o'clock, i making it between half-past eleven and twelve before many of the assistants leave the business establishments. When, it is borne in mind that a large majority of these assistants reside in the suburbs of the city, as being; f more conducive to health, economy, &c., itl? will be seen at a glance that after seventeen ' hours of toil the sacred hours of the Sabbath, supposed to be devoted to ,tbe rest of mind' and body, are considerably encroached upon before the assistants, weary and worn, reach , their respective homes. An enlightened public will say with , one voice, *'Bui:h.,, a state of things ought not "to exist**' ' The committee are anxious to guard the ifi-. terest of the employers, and also to study the . .convenience of that portion of the public who are in the habit of shopping late, as in the. event of the change being made it will be at some future date, allowing a sufficient interval of, time to thoroughly advertise and ventilate the subject. Having placed n the above plain statement of facts before an intelligent public, the committee make an earnest appeal on behalf of the cause they advocate, being well aware their, sympathy? and cordial co-operation win nlune -fenabftrxliesm-to fc.ing their labour* to a successful issue. In due course the committee will wait upon the editors of the daily/ ' papers, on' the* clergymen of tHS^VarioW* religious denominations, and on other gentlemen, who will no doubt gladly identify- themselves with the moment, as the good citizens of Melbourne have done, where it has worked as successfully as in the old country. The names at the head of the movement iri!M6l-Ul! bourne are:—President: The Bight Ravi tH& Lord Bishop of Melbourne. Vice-Presidents : The Very.Eev. Dean of Melbourne; Hon. J. McCullofch, M.L.A. ; Hon.C. J. J«uiel», £A M.L.C. ; Hon. Gh E. Verdon; C.8., M.L.AMJ. Hon. George Harker.; Hon. A. EraieriM.L.C; James Balfour, Esq.,' M.L.A.; Rev; A.Cairna, H.D.; Eev. W. Pelbws, 8.A.; Rev. James Taylor ; Rev. Joseph Dare ; Rev. J. E. Brombv, D.D.| Rev. G; Barry; Rev.VT. R. Eletcher ; Eev. A. P. Ornestein ; Colonel Anderson ;R. T. Tracy, Esq., M.D.; P. Sargood, Esq.; Gh Stevenson, Esq.; T; Alston, Esq.; W. T. Moffat, Esq. ; Thomas Moubray, Esq.; Q-. Meares, Esq. ; O. O'Callaghan, Esq. ; S. Haigh, Esq. ; J. Carson, Esq. Treasurer : ThomasAiston,Esq. Hon.Sec:T.J.Jackman. Most of the above-named gentlemen. have delivered and otherwise assisted by word and deed in forwarding the iviews of the Association. Offers of assistance, addressed Early Closing Association, Post Office, box 65,. will receive the committee's immediate attention and prompt. reply. The primary object of the Association is the closing of all the retail drapery establishments at 6 o'clock, and at a more, reasonable hour on Saturday,;. hereafter to be determined. For the present the committee leave the matter in the hands of the public, and trust that a united effort, will permanently annihilate the presont, injurious practice of late shopping."