THE HALF HOLIDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 247, 18 October 1893, Page 2

THE HALF HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sib.—Sovoral letters have appeared lately on the above subject in the columns of the press from shop assistants charging tradespeople, who havo had enough experience of the shop closing experiment, with " defying tho law" and hinting ab certain penalties to which they are thereby liable, as though the question was inseparable from that of tho holiday. A specimen of these appears in the Stah issue of 16th, referring firstly, to " firms ignoring the Shop Hours Bill." Is it possible that the writer is unaware thab owing fortunately to a sufficiency of wisdom and independence prevailing in the Legislative Council, this drastic and ono sided measure was prevented from passing into law, and ib is to be hoped will nob do bo until in tho name of the "Justice" he invoUes all trades und occupations, tfn'n/fc-ehops as woll as food ■ shops, are placed in the same level. Thon as to what is " fair to others," I would ask :—lb there any fairness in thoeo " others it) the trade " who, whether by enterprise or more clever scheming than eotne of their fellow tradesmen are possessed of, have obtained a position bo as to be able to pay an extra staff, and thus keep open every day, to ask that others who are nob so fortunate, or that numerous class who are struggling to pay their Way without assistants, should bo compelled to close for their benefit ? I think it is also opon to question whether there is any fairness in assistants expecting six days' pay for five 6nd a-half days' work. And as for thoße employers who are mosb assertive in their demand for a half-day closing, I believe thoy would be found, with few exceptions, to possoes suburban homos, perhnps keep their buggy, etc., but are too moan to leavo a few crumbs to be picked up by their humblo fellows. Moreover, all whom I hare conversed with on the subject) admit that tho day is spoilt and that they might ns woll close up the wholo day as tho afternoon ; in fact, so far as drapers aro concornod. thoy would probably, if compelled, prefer the fore part of the day. What more can these clamorous assistants in "fairness" want thnn thoy havo gob? An Acb wan passod moro than a year since giving them protection against overwork and too long confinement, and an inspector appointed to boo ib carried out. Whab right havo they further to wish to dictate oithor to employors or non-employers what thoy may chooHo to do with thoir own timo, and, like your correspondent, after a wild invocation to "sundry powers" and "Justice," to chnryo thorn with " trying to rob." Much more mighb bo eaid, Mr Editor, upon the matter bub I fear I may havo already filled tho limit of space, bub trusting you may spare a corner for this.—lam, etc, R.L. Mounb Roakill Road, October 17th.