ANNIVERSARY DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 23, 26 January 1912, Page 7

ANNIVERSARY DAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—As yon are aware it ha* been publicly notified by his Worship the Mayor that Monday, the 29th inst.. bo observed as a public holiday. I should esteem it a favour if you would allow me to draw the attention of the general i public (and perhaps yourself) to what I is undoubtedly a hardship as far as the i working class is concerned in observing [ this holiday. It has probably not occurred to the generality of the holidayj makers that so far as the labouring class ■ is concerned, this is a distinct loss of a j day's work and the consequent loss of a j day's pay. To conclude that the workers are devoid of any sense of loyally or | patriotism, or are incapable of making any sacrifice is beneath contempt—their | lives are one continual sacrifice. But when one considers for a moment that ! thiij day s pay has to be found to satisfy! the landlord, or the baker—or whatnot. ! and that other losses occur through wet , weather or illness—either one week or! another, it must be confessed that my contention is worthy of serious thought. It would be easy for me to give further proofs of the consequent loss to the working man in taking a holiday—one is | forced to spend on such an occasion either more or less—and this he cannot do, as is now generally admitted, and keep out of debt—but I refrain from adding further to a contention that is be- ! vond doubt. In notifying this holiday ! the Mayor has probably overlooked the burden thus unconsciously placed upon the workers, and I feel sure that he will be the first to recognise my claim in all its hearings, and endeavour to minimize the loss that will naturallv ensue—l i am. etc.. BLUE METAL, i