The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1896.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 29, 4 February 1896, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1896.

For tlio cause that laois .assistancs, For tiia -wrens that BBBds resistance, For t_e fatnrs in tho distance __d tiio _cod that we can as.

We are pleased to learn that there is

a very general agreement among shopkeepers in favour of accepting Wednesday, as fixed by the Conference, as the alternative day to Saturday for observing the half-holiday. Out of upwards of two thousand shops in city and suburbs, only 26 have notified the Inspector, as required by law, that they will close on other days than Wednesday or Saturday. The period during which such notice might be given having now expired, all shops which have not given notice must observe the half-holiday on Wednesday. The attempt of the Legislative Council to foment dissension, therefore, has failed in its purpose. In all probabiliiy, the 26 who have chosen isolated days—unless their action was caused, by' some special feature in connection with their businesses which made Wednesday or Saturday impracticable— will find it to their advantage to fall into line with the other shopkeepers. This they may still do. The observance of one half day by a large number of people will add zest to the enjoyment of the holiday. On the cricket field, in the harbour, in the cultivation of suburban gardens, and in a countless variety ot ways, we may expect that the physical, mental and moral well-being of thousands of people who follow sedentary occupations, and their measure of happiness in life, will be enhanced by tbis measure, without pecuniary loss to anyone. The very considerable number, 291, who have selected Saturday, proves that there is a substantial minority, including a number of large employers of labour, who adhere to their belief in that day. No doubt what will suit ofte class of trade fill not suit another, just as the days selected by the various conferences throughout New Zealand have been affected by local circumstances. The shopping pubiic have already become partially accustomed to the distinctions drawn in this respect, and in a little time people will familiarise themselves with the distinctive days of closing in different trades. We believe that general satisfaction will be felt by shopkeepers "that the: irksome character of the law as it existed before definite and suitable tiroes of closing were fixed, has now been removed, and we confidently anticipate that in a very short time the benefits accruing from reasonable rest and recreation will be so generally appreciated that on no consideration would the boon be surrendered. It only remains far the public to loyally Sv'ipport shopkeepers in observing the law, and by a little forethought and consideration avoid offering temptations for shopkeepers to commit breaches of the Act. Upon this very largely will depend the Stability of a statute which is designed to oromote the well-being and happiness of the people.