THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14973, 20 April 1909, Page 9

THE WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY.

TO the editor. Sir, —As chairman oi the meeting of shop assistants in favour of retaining tho Thursday half-holiday, 1 wish to emphatically contradict statements made in this day’s issue by 3'our. correspondent “Not Intimidated.” First, his information could not have been nceived from a reliable source, ns the number of votes for the resolutions carried was far in excess oi your correspondent's twenty-live, without reckoning the large number of apologies received, and one person who lift the room beforo the vt,te was taken. The attendance at the meeting would have been very much larger but for the strong counter attraction oi tl e Navy League in King Edward Barracks. Could “ Not Intimidated ” inform me i of one meeting of Saturday idvoclios ! where there were over fitty.zlmp assistants present, apart from irresponsible - Square orators and \ Saturday agitators? With 'regard to intimidation, I tail to s e ,whore it comes in, ns I convened the meeting at the request of a number of assistants, representing three largo sections of tho retail trade, tho employers not being aware of any movement until after the meeting was decided on. “Not Intimidnted’s ’ remarks with reference to lukewarmness, etc., goes to prove that lie or his informant was not present when the resolutions were earned, or even he would have been convinced otherwise, as the riieeting was in no way half-hearted, as vour correspondent would wish you to Relieve. The numerous points in favour of Thursday were warmly received, and all were fully convinced that Thursday is the best day.—l am, etc., GEO. WOODS. TO THE , Sir, —Does it not soem to you absurd contesting which day is to be the haklioliday, which, according to our occupations, we have already got? Analysing the thing, what do we find? That wholesale houses, factory bauds and ail artisan workers can throw down their tools or shut tlieir doors at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Good luck to , those who have this privilege. But is it quite fair that Saturday-closers should vote to do away with the‘mid-week half-holiday, which at present suits retailers better than any other day? No doubt yc would all liko a holiday every day in tho week, (although it is questioned by some if we have not rather too many holidays besides the mid-week ones) hut if we eay a day is chosen by the majority against the wishes of the minority, how may it affect shop rents, assistants’ wages and the multitudo pf expenses ;in connection with all businesses ? Does it appear fair in this caso that the majority may be able to force the jninority of respectable, lawabiding subjects to adopt a day for the half-holiday that is quite, unsuitable, and havo wo got the opinion of those who have had or tried to make Saturday the half-holiday ? In my humble opinion, that which is well is well left alone.—l am, etc.. JUSTICE. , Sir, —I take pleasure in enclosing herewith copy of correspondence on the ■lialf-lioliday question, just received from Napier, which I will bo glad if 'you can find space for. Comment- is superfluous.-—I am, etc., RONALD S. BADGER, Secretary to the Thursday Half-holiday Committee. Christchurch) April 19. ( (Enclosures.) Napier Borough Council. Town Clerk’s Office, April 8,1909. Mr R. S. Badger, Christchurch. Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of tho Ist inst., asking for information relative to the working of the Saturday weekly halfholiday in Napier. In reply I beg to forward the following copy of a letter that has been sent by mo to only one person in Christchurch. I have not been in communication with any other person on this matter, so that any statement to tho contrary is not correct.—Your obedient servant, M. N. Bower, Town Clerk. Copy of Letter.—Mr A. H. Anderson, 'Secretary, Saturday Half-holiday Association, Christchurch. Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter of tho 15th inst., and in reply have to inform you that this Council tried Saturday as the day for the weekly half-holiday for three

months, but found it was unsatisfactory. The opinion has been expressed that it might have been satisfactory had Saturday been, a universal halfholiday. Wednesday is our present half-holiday.—Your obedient servant, M. N. Bower, Town Clerk.