THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9895, 23 January 1895, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

. Sib,— There has been much said of late of short bonrs and various holiday schemes, and it may not be generally known that there is yet something wantlag for the general interest of shop assistants and for those in similar positions. 16 would be well if fourteen days were added to the Shop Assistants Act. There are many reasons for granting snch (a spell of rest). There are many assistants who are at work from early morning till late at night ; they are not allowed to letve the premises althongh tbe shop windows are closed, but are kept in over time to perhapa take stock, make np books, &0., which I consider unjust, and for which they get np e?tra pay. It is bard to see why an assistant sbonld be employed after the proper time of closing for the benefib of the employer. All those engaged in trades would aonsider it overtime, and expect to be paid accordingly. The writer for one ont of a thousand has been compelled to return to business for three or tour weeks of a stretch in a fear from 7 P-m, till 10 p.m. at the leiat. Work that out for toar weeks at three hours per night, which wonld mean that the assistant has been robbed of nine days' ccretv. If an assistant desires to bave a holiday for a week or so he has to sacrifice his wages to obtain it. I have been for years in the Old Country as an .assistant in some of tbe largest establishments, and after being there for twelve months I was entitled to two weeks' holiday, my salary going on as usual. Why can they not adopt the same plan here ? Other trades have got it. Why not we? The object of tbe writer Is to stir np the minds of those in somewhat the same position as myself. Hoping that there will he more correspondence on the matter to rouse the people to their own interesb and those of their sons and daughters, which I am snre will be a great benefit) for humanity in general.— l am, &c, Correspondent. January 21, 1895.