THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1909, Page 7

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

SATURDAY OR WEDNESDAY? DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR, LABOUR. A matter relating to the proposed poll on the- subject of the Wednesday v. Saturday half-holiday was mentioned to the Minister for Labour (Hon. A. W. Hogg) to-day by the President (Mr. H. H. Seaton) and the secretary (Mr. H. F. Allen) of the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association. Mr. Seaton mentioned the fact that at the municipal electious on 2/th April a poll ot the electors would be tal-cen on the question of whether the day for the weekly half-holiday for shops should be Wednesday or Saturday. A great many people were under the impression that if Wednesday was agreed on it would mean that factories and warehouses would have to close on that day. That, of course, was not so; the poll was only in regard to shops, and the shopkeepers were anxious that the public should be under no misapprehension on the subject. The shopkeepers found that Saturday was their best business day, in the majority of cases, and they thought that a great deal of harm would be done it Saturday was carried. Mr. Allen remarked that the right to say on what day the shops should close for the half-holiday was a big weapon to put in the hands of the people. The Ja-w worked very well in the past, the selection of the day being left in the hands of the local bodies. As to the Wednesday v. Saturday issue, he had very clear evidence when in Christchurch recently of the disastrous effect of Saturday closing in Hawkes Bay and Nelson. Of course, shopkeepers bad to abide by the law, and doubtless a poll would be taken, but they would esteem it a favour if the Minister would see that the issue was put clearly before the people, so that there should be no misunderstanding. MR. HOGG'S REPLY. ' The Minister said he thought the removal of any misapprehension on the part of the public would depend very much on the efforts of the shopkeepers themselves. He did not know that he himeelf could do much in that direction. Undoubtedly the matter was one of great importance to the shopkeepers and their customers, and the more they could arouse and educate puolic opinion the better it would be. for themselves and the community. He did not desire to express any decided opinion, hut at the same time he must say tha* he had always had a- lot of sympathy with the small shopkeepers, who often had a very hard struggle to make their businesses pay, and were compelled to consult the wishes and convenience of their customers. If he could do anytning to remove misapprehension, he would be only too glad to do it.