THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11689, 16 September 1903, Page 5

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TRESS. Sir, —It appears that the advocates of the Saturday half-holiday movement now intend to work on the idea that “might is right”—judging by the lengthy petitions which they have lately got presented to Parliament. They now seem to have, abandoned those all-important arguments, | such as sweethearts requiring a universal day for the purpose of seeing each other s lovely face, and to give the apron-tied young fellow the opportunity of a weekly outing in the family coach together, etc. Now they would strike terror in the'hearts of their opponents by a mighty list of names, which may mean anything or nothing, when such may but. represent irresponsibles. But who gave our professed Democratic Government the power to benefit one to tne injury of another? or to favour majorities to tilio disregard of minorities? It has hitherto followed its democratic profession by allowing each community to decide the matter for themselves, and for tho common good, without unnecessarily injuring tuny one. But now it looks as if it is going to suddenly turn autocrat, and say, “Yes, boys and girls; you shall have your fling, but as for those few dizzy-brained, business old fogies, we will put our foot on them; it is only a matter of business with tlsem. But your request involves tho all-important matter of pleasure—something which the whole world is much concerned about. Besides, you are tho honourable toilers, by whom wo hold tho reins. * They are but mere capitalists. We’ll turn them upside down, and make their money roll. Aha!” * But, seriously, sir, is our respected Government going in this matter to bo influenced more by sickly sentiment and mere force of numbers, rather than by the great principles of business and duty? Is the old maxim, "Duty before pleasure,” now to be revised, or, rather, entirely reversed? Would a good general unnecessarily expose to loss, and possible disaster, a small portion, of Iris army in order that the major portion might take it free and easy ! Would ho not rather rally all his available reserves jn support of their endangered comrades, and thus save his army intact? Is it now probable that we are going to have improvements on the old-time religion, which has taught us to “Do good unto all men,” “Support, the weak,” and "Do unto others as we would they should do unto us?” It is to be sincerely hoped that there will bo a few level-headed men in the House when this matter comes up for discussion, and thus save the— DEMOCRACY RUNNING AMUCK.