THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12403, 17 January 1901, Page 4

THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

When ve remember the bitter opposition that was offered, six -or seven years' ago, to Mr W. P. Reeves's proposal that the shop-assistants should- have a weekly halfholiday, it -seems almost incredible that such a meeting as the one held in the City Council Chambers last evening should pars off without the slightest complaint being raised against this concession to a large section of workers. But the facts are indisputable. People .who predicted that the colony's trade would 'be utterly ruined and its* society hopelessly disorganised by keeping the shops open only five and a half days, instead of six days, a week, are now compelled to admit that none of the dreadful things they prophesied has come . to pass, and that- the employers have gained nearly as much as their assistants from . the. reduction in the hours of labour. Tho only question that admits c.f any discussion now is the day upon which the half-holiday should be observed. In Christ-church we have grown so accustomed to Thursday that there is not likely to be any change while the citizens continue their present method of doing business. Saturday would probably be more acceptable to the shop-assistants themselves, but unless the country people can be persuaded to select some other day for their marketing, it is useless to talk of making it a general holiday. We are inclined to however, that watering places like Sumner and New Brighton, which are separated fy- at.- coasiderabla stri,r> «£ rural country

from the city and suburban boroughs, might very well be left to select their own .by. At present they are bound 1 by the decision of the larger centres of population, and often have to take the half-ho-li-diay at a time that is- ineon/venient both to their shop-keepers and. their visitors. Tho matter was mentioned, aib the meeting of delegates yesterday,, and might be seriously considered by Parliament.