THE HALF-HOLIDAY. WEDNESDAY DECIDED UPON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1908, Page 3

THE HALF-HOLIDAY. WEDNESDAY DECIDED UPON.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. After The Post wont to press yesterday the delegates representing local bodies continuad tho discussion on tho motion and amendment fixing Saturday and Wednesday, respectively, a« the day of tho statutory half-holiday for chops within the city and suburbs. Continuing his remarks in favour of Wednesday, Councillor Cohen said that out of 429 towns and boroughs, in New Zealand only six had got Saturday as , the hiilf-holiday ; all the others- had I Wednesday and Thursday, and the exceptions were insignificant boroughs. If Wednesday were declared the halfholiday any business people who desired Saturday could have it; but if Saturday was fixed that day would be compulsory for ali. Councillor Shirtcliffo seconded the amendment. He thought Saturday was j theoretically the- right day, but the time was still a long way from being ripe enough for it. 'The interests of the employers should be considered. Ninety per osnt. of tjiem favoured Wednesday. Councillor Smith said ho understood l-hafc a great many of the employees were in favour of Wednesday ; it was not only the employers who were. The Mayor of Wellington said that a provision way mado in tho new Act , which gave. p,qwer to the electors of any borough, upon requisition to ths local body "at any time," such requisition to be signed by ;>t least onertenth of the electors, to hava a poll taksn to dctermino upon which day the half-holi-day should ba observed. Councillor Smith expressed himself that this could only take placj at that iiine of a general election of councillors.! That waii the way in which he read the provision of the Act. The Mayor of Miramar said he, had come to tho meeting with an open mind on the question, but ho was inclined to think that so far as Miramar Borough was concerned it would be better to leave the day as it was. To alter the day would tend to crush ths small shopkeeper, and it would be 'a very sorry day for New Zealand if the small shopkeeper was crushed out." Another aspect of tho case that should be borne in mind was the fact that Wellington had not enough recreation grounds now to accommodate those who made holiday on Saturday. What,, then, would be the position Mf those' who kept Wednesday as the half-holi-day wero compelled to observe Saturday. In replying to arguments advanced, Councillor Flstcher said that "the old cry about ths tims? not being ripe" had been raised concerning every movement of reform that had been struggled for. Shopkeepers were very usefu' meinbeiVs of the community, but there were otner interests that should, be' considered also. Wednesday had been tried, and it had' caused a good deal of dissatisfaction amongst those, interested; it was time, that Saturday was given a Lrial. ( Councillor Shirlclifie : And wipe out tno small shopkeepers ! i Councillor Fletchers * Oh, that's all bunkum ; that old, 6ld story ! The amendment fixing Wednesday afternoon as tho half-holiday was carrkd by five votss to two.