THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2515, 17 December 1927, Page 5

THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To tho Editor.) Sir, —Now that the above has had an opportunity of being tried out, I think that the time is opportune to say something on the matter. When I say that as far as I am\ concerned, the change from Thursday to Saturday half-holiday and the long night change has been a drastic experiment for me, I think I am quoting the experience of a lot of other business men in this town. And I have had it, sub rosa from several of those people who were liot supporters of the movement for change, that their businesses have suffered a set-back.

Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. I formerly looked upon, and so did other’s, as the most important day of the week, but since the inception of Friday long niplit, there has been a vast change. The farmer and the country people are tire factors which have turned the scale against us. As far back as I can remember, Saturday has been the farmers’ day,' and it is hard to change his habits. He has not taken kindly to t-lre change, and though some people say “that the farmer has got to spend his money on the necessities of life and he will do it no matter what is the recognised day of the week,” the fact remains that as far as I and others are concerned, wo have not been getting/ the patronage from that quarter that we .got previously. Is this a fact to wonder at? Look at our streets on Friday night. The people seem to be non cst, and so is their money. Now, sir, i put it to you that the position is one tlifit will bear looking into, and ] am bound to say that if it were, if would be found that the feeling is one of a desire to return to the former regime. As far as the experiment is concerned —well, it has been tried out but if it has been unsuccessful, which I think it has, well, it’s no disgrace to tho town, hut I would like to sea the feeling tested now that the scheme has been "through the crucible. Might I suggest that your valuable paper make investigations in the matter, and get the opinions of the various business men concerned. —I am, etc.. BUSINESS MAN.