THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 14, 17 January 1895, Page 5

THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

WEDNESDAY OR SATURDAY.

A BURNING QUESTION.

The great half-holiday question continues to be the all-absoibing topic amongst tradespeople, shop assistants, and the public generally, and the various pros, and cons, in connection with the two days, Wednesday and Saturday, are being discussed witn an assiduity that is remarkable. A great deal of ignorance, however, appears to exist amongsb those who have not taken the trouble to real the Act '

Mr Ferguson, the local Inspector of Factories, informs us that a serious misunderstanding'seemsbobeprevalenfc'amon^st butchers, photographers and hairdressers, for whom another day may be appointed if Saturday is chosen, that they are ab liberty to appoint the day themselves. This impression, he says, is entirely erroneous. The Act does not give them any such authority, as the appointment of the day is to be left to the, Conference,- and must bo decided by the latter at the Council Chambers to-morrow.

Yesterday afternoon at four o'clock a deputation of local auctioneers waited upon Mr Tregear, secrotdry to the Deparbmeno of Labour, relative to the Shop Hours' Bill. The speakers pointed out that owing to the perishable nature of some goods sent to the auction marts injustice would be done if they weramado to close their, premises at 5 p.m. Mr Tregear explained that auctioneers wore not affected by the section of tho Shop Act to which they referred, but thab their omploycos were legislated for under section 5, which does not prescribe a fixed hour for closing:

At a meeting of the Kniehts of Labour held laab evening the Secretary was instructed to write to tho City Council recommending that Saturday be selected for the weekly half-holiday.

Tho Town Clerk at Onehunga has forwarded to the Mayor of Auckland the following resolution passed by the Onehunga Borough Council at last xMonday night's meeting : —"That this Council is of opinion that Saturday would bo tho best day for the half-holiday, but it is premature to fix the day until the day is fixed by Auckland."

A meeting of the Committee who are working in the interests of Wednesday was held this morning. Various matters were arranged. Speakers were appointed to bring tho views,of the Committee before the Conference to-morrow, providing it is agreed to hear deputations. Mr.R. French, hon. Sec. to the Committee, has written to the Conference enclosing copies of tho resolution passed at Tuesday's meeting. The writer calls attention to the two petitions in favour of Wednesday, and lay stres3 on petition "No. 2, showing 140 shopkeepers who are exempt from operation under tho Acb, but are willing to observe Wednesday if fixed as t.he statutory half-holiday.

Tho butchers have sent in a petition in favour of Wednesday.

His Worship the Mayor points out that the majority of the correspondence and petitions sent in on the half-holiday question are addressed " Hia Worship and Conference." Under theee circumstances such cannot bo discussed at to-night's meeting of the Council.