THE HALF HOLIDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14538, 25 November 1907, Page 5

THE HALF HOLIDAY.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, November 23. Speaking on the motion to go into committee on the Shops and Offices Act Amendment Bill, the Hon. J. A. Millar explained why a provision had been included in regard to the weekly half-holiday. He also-explained why it was proposed that no notice published in consequence of a requisition in respect of the closing time shall be varied or cancelled for six months, the reason being that contradictory requisitions were sometimes received within a short space of time. On the Bill being committed the House approved the action of the Labour Bills Committee in striking out the clause fixing the observance of the special King's Birthday holiday for Monday. On the Minister's motion an amendment was inserted providing for a halfholiday from 2 p.m. on some working day in each week for all hotel servants. The Minister introduced a new clause dealing with the half-holiday question. He explained that it affirmed the existing law. The local authority would fix the closing" day, but if the people desired to alter the day they could by requisition signed by 10 per cent of the electors apply for a poll to fix the half-holiday. The poll would be taken on the day of the Borough Council election, and the municipal roll would _be used. The clause would apply in the case of boroughs and town districts as well as combined districts. Mr Witty asked that road districts should have the right to come in and join with the combined district nearest in fixing the day of the half-holi-day. Mr. Tanner said that this really meant an enlargement of the combined districts. Mr Hogg warned membere that though this looked a- democratic proposal it was really a most arbitrary one, and would, if passed, cause endless trouble among shopkeepers. Mr Aitken said that this new clause was the most important by far in the Bill, but the public knew absolutely nothing of it. He suggested that the Minister should postpone it until next session. The Minister replied that the idea was not a new one to those concerned. He, however, was prepared to take the opinion of members on the voices, and if a majority favoured it he would defer it until next year. Some members, however, pressed for the adoption of the clause, and it was added to the Bill by 25 to 18. The Bill was reported as amended.