EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9092, 1 May 1890, Page 3

EARLY CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of the Early Closing Association was held last evening in the Y.M.C.A. Hall. There was a fairly numerous attendance. Mr Hoban, one of the Vice-Presidents, took the chair, and thanked them for the honour they had done him in electing him as a Vice-President. He assured them that the Eailway Employees 5 Union would render every support in their power to further the movement. He hoped soon to see every Union working shoulder to shoulder to secure early closing. He deprecated having any mob elements in furthering the object sought. They should do everything in a constitutional manner. He asked the Secretary to state the business of the meeting. The Secretary, Mr Clark, read an apology from the Eev J. Hoatson,who expressed sympathy with the movement. The Trades and Labour Council, which represented a number of Trades Unions, had passed a resolution approving of the movement. With the aid. of these Unions he had no doubt they would bo able to carry out their programme at no very lata date. The Typographical Association had written referring to their dispute with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. He had a communication from the Grocers and Storekeepers 5 Association, who wrote hoping that their patrons would give their orders early on Saturday so as to enable the shops to close at 6 p.m. The D.T.G. and B. Society wrote, requesting the withdrawal of the advertisement in the Press , and stating that they had resolved to close at 6 p.m. on Saturdays if public convenience did not require them to keep open. It was proposed and seconded —“ That this meeting endorses Mr Clark 5 s action in inserting the advertisement, and declines to withdraw it, 55

One member was under the impression that the advertisement, as it originally appeared, was inserted by the employers. Another member characterised it as disreputable to the Early Closing Association and misleading to the public. An amendment was moved to the effect that the advertisement in the Press should be altered so as to read the same as that in the Lyttelton Times , which was not objected to. The motion was withdrawn, and the amendment was carried. It was resolved—“ That a letter be sent to the Grocers and Storekeepers 5 Association, thanking them for the action they had taken in deciding to close at 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and informing them that this Association would do all in its power to further the object of the resolution, and to support those tradesmen who had decided to close at 6 p.m. on Saturday. 55

The Treasurer (Mr Bradbury) made a statement, which showed there was only a small balance in hand, and the Secretary said the expenditure for advertising, &c., would be considerable. It was resolved—“ That double subscriptions be levied for the month of May, in order to meet the expenditure.” Attention was called to the necessity for members paying up back subscriptions. The Secretary read an extract from a circular of Messrs Hopkins and Co,, Woolston.stating they would close at 6 p.m. on Saturday. It was resolved that a deputation be appointed to wait on Messrs Wardell Bros, with reference to an advertisement which they had inserted, and the Chairman and Mr W. B. Perceval were requested to form the deputation. A letter was read from Mr E. Long, Secretary of a meeting of representatives from various temperance organisations and Sunday Schools, stating that the meeting sympathised largely with the objects of the Early Closing Association; bub considered it should not make exception of hotel bars and billiard-rooms. As the late hours which bars were kept open involved long hours of labour to barmaids, barmen and others, and considering the injurious effect of the liquor trade, they requested the Association to pledge themselves not to enter an hotel for the purpose of encouraging the business after 6 p.m. It was resolved to reply that the Association recognised the importance of the matters referred to, and the consideration of the letter was adjourned for a month. It was agreed to express sympathy with the Typographical Association in their dispute with Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, and to render every possible assistance to the Association mentioned.

It was resolved that the question of the Early Closing Association affiliating with the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council should be considered at a special meeting to be called by the Committee. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.