The Half-holiday

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7241, 12 June 1930, Page 6

The Half-holiday

To the Editor. Sir,—l am in hearty agreement with some of the opinions expressed by Mr. D. 0. Williams, economist at Massey Agricultural College, which appeared in the Times. I agree, for instance, with his statement that “from the efficiency point of view it seems preferable to have a continuous week of business with the holiday at the cml.” It may also be possible to have, as he states, staffs better organised, especially for the large firms. But I submit that we are not in business solely for the two reasons advanced by Mr. Williams. Wb aio in business primarily for two other reasons. The first is to make a living for ourselves and our families and our assistants, and the second is for the purpose of rendering service to the community. It is here I join issue with Mr. Williams, and I claim that when we consider the question of a weekly halfholiday in relation to the development of business and the rendering of service wo must take into consideration tho hours which will be most suitable for those who form our clientele. Personally, I would prefer (he halfholiday at' tho end of the week, but consideration of my wishes or those of my assistants must perforce be subservient to the larger issue: that of the welfare and development of the business. Palmerston North serves a large pastoral and agricultural district with a radius of anything up to 40 miles. The one day when the man on tho land can bring his wife and his children into town to do their shopping is Saturday. Should he bring them in on any other day of the week he is breaking the law by keeping the children from school and is liable to prosecution. Prom time immemorial Saturday has been the market day for the farmer, and to alter it by closing on that day will divert trade to 'those centres, small though they may be, which arc more convenient.

I have a vivid memory of what happened five years ago when our Borough Council, without "taking a plebiscite, forced the shops to close on Satuiday s. A requisition demanding a poll Vvas signed and Wednesday was carried by an overwhelming majority. During the interval between the Saturday closing and the Wednesday re-opening the falling off in business was very marked, out on the first re-opening Saturday the town was thronged with thousands nho came from all parts of tho country to show their appreciation of the change. To make tho half-holiday a universal Saturday would not help Palmerston North, but would prevent, a great many people, both farmers and people in professions who now regularly visit our town, from doing business with ns.—l am, etc., G. 11. BENNETT.