HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 475, 6 April 1909, Page 5

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION. (DJ- TELEMIAPK—I'RESS iSSCUIATIOS.) Netson, April 5. A magisterial' decision, important to shopkeepers of one class signing a requisition by a majority determining to close on Saturdays instead of other days, was given to-day. J. R. Bethwaite, an ironmonger, was charged with keeping open on Saturday afternoon, in contravention of a requisition from tho only two other recognised ironmongers in the city, constituting a majorty of the trade. Defendant pleaded that l several ■ other shops which sold ironmongery among general stores,,had not signed the requisition, which was therefore invalid, as it had not been signed by a majority. The magistrate hold that any shop' dealing substantially in ironmongery besides other goods had a right to be regarded as an ironmonger's, hence tho requisition was not signed by a majority of the trade, and he dismissed the case. The question involved is whether shops such as ironmongers', stationers', and booksellers , etc., specifically known as such, can claim to constitute, a majority on a requisition to choose tho half-holiday, and thus govern smaller stores dealing in such goods in addition to other goods. ■