Kaitaia to have 5-Day Week

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 16, 22 November 1946, Page 5

Kaitaia to have 5-Day Week

Beekeepers’ Association

Late Night Friday Proposed by Mr. Rhys Williams and seconded by Mr. J. Pickles, the following motion was carried at a meeting of businessmen in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening: “That we as businessmen of the town, now that the time has arrived, observe a 5-day week, 4 days of 11 hours and the sth clay of 10 hours, giving a late night Friday.” In opening the meeting Mr. D. Archibald Snr., chairman, read to a full representation of the business people of Kaitaia, the hours of work as set down in the new grocery award. Mr. Archibald was of the opinion that circumstances existing in Kaitaia were different to elsewhere but there was no way of avoiding this award. “This meeting of businessmen,” said Mr. Archibald, “is to make a satisfactory settlement for all.” Mr. Archibald himself, could see no way out - but to close on Saturdays. The law had been broken by remaining open last week. Mr. Williams then put his motion to the meeting. Mr. J. Paulson : Now the grocers liave to shut, they want everybody else to shut. Mr. G. Wilson : What will be the position of petrol pump owners? They have an agreement with the Government. Mr. H. A. Timbers : Are grocers expecting all traders in the town to fall in with them in their 5 - day week? Mr. Archibald : Other business people do not have to follow suit. Grocers must comply with the new award, but he felt sure that a similar award would be issued to other retailers later in the year. Mr. Williams then stated that he disliked the indictment that grocers were trying to force something on to the town. He had moved his motion in good faith to test the feeling whether or not the town stood united. An amendment could be moved that only grocers would observe Saturday closing. As the meeting was called really for the grocers it was felt that they should settle their problem first. No motion was riecessary for them as the award was definite, said members. A show of hands taken of Kaitaia

grocers showed that they were all in ! favour of a 5-day week, and their postion was thus settled. “If shoppers can’t do business with the banks, butchers or grocers on a Saturday morning it is not worth while for other businessmen to remain open,” said Mr. R. A. Gooch. Mr. Paulson : Now grocers have had to come to it we should all club in and close before Christmas. Mr. Wilson then put the position of motor traders to the meeting. Kaitaia, he said, was now on the map and motor traders were tied to certain hours. They had an obligation to the travelling public and were forced to remain open from 9 to 12 on a Saturdays morning. “What is the bread position,” questioned Mr. K. Knight. A baker had only two hands, replied Mr. Archibald, and as far as he was concerned there would be no ( bread baked on a Saturday. The meeting commenced to applaud this statement, but Mr. Williams rose to his feet stating that he did not wish anybody to be disillusioned. Bakers were now in the process oi' getting something concrete, he stated. As far as he was concerned, with the present lack of equipment, he could not bake enough bread on a Friday for the weekend. Mr. Archibald again stated that lie was not baking bread on a Saturday. While wishing to support a 5-day week, Mr. Williams stated that now, on hearing the former statement he could not say* yes or no to the question. The present lack of equipment would prevent him producing sufficient bread on a Friday’. Mr. D. Hart supported Mr. Williams in this view. Finally Mr. Williams gave tne meeting an assurance that he would put the question to his bakers and he felt sure that they would be baking bread on only 5 days a week. The original motion then came before the meeting. Mr. K. Knight moved an amendment that businesses j apart from grocers stay open at the j present hours. This was seconded j by Mr. G. Gaudin. The amendment when put to tilt I meeting was defeated and the motion | was then carried. Mr. N. K. Boyd : What happens if i there’s a change of Government on i the 27th? The meeting : We’ll face that when ' and if it conies. A show of hands then showed that I the meeting favoured hours from 8.30

i to 5 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday j and Thursday, and 8.30 to 8.30 on I Friday. \ Christmas holidays were then discussed and it was decided that on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve late nights would be observed instead of on the Friday.

FIELD DAY The Far North branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association held its annual Field Day on Saturday afternoon at the apiary of Mr. S. C. : Puckey, Awanui Road. The weather ! was fine, and there was a good ai- , tendance of members. ] The President, Mr. W. I. Haines, ! welcomed Mr. R. S. Walsh, apiary instructor for the Auckland district. Mr. Walsh, who was responsible for the Far North branch being formed, j congratulated the members on the | success they had achieved during the j past two years. In his address, the instructor pointed out the advantages of weaiing a veil and protective clothing when handling bees. Some people thought that only amateurs took precautions against stings. Mr. Walsh maintained that the best beekeepers were those who took no risk. The most suitable dress was khaki overalls, a felt hal or helmet, and a good veil. By wearing dark or brown woollen materials one was simply i asking for stings and usually 7 rej ceived them ! Mr. Walsh demonstrated the eor- | rect way of opening up a hive, and J drew members’ attention to the imj portant items to look for in an ini ’ pection of the apiary. The first consideration was the age and vitality of the queen. The life of the colony, as well as the quantity of honey produced, depended upon the queen Other things to note were the condition of the brood, the amount of space available in the brood chamber, the ventilation of the hive, tht quantity of stores for brood rearing, and last but not least, the amount of honey. Mr. Walsh also pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of confining the queen in the lower chambers by the use of an excluder. As this is a much debated matter, it was of considerable interest to those present. Up-to-the-minute methods of

manipulation being used in some of the large Waikato apiaries were also demonstrated by the speaker. Maintaining that successful beekeeping required a good working knowledge of queen-rearing and introduction, Mr. Walsh dealt at some length on these matters. At the conclusion, afternoon tea was provided by Mrs. Puckey. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded Mr. Walsh and Mr. and Mrs. Puckey. Mr. Walsh spent several days in the district, carrying out a round of inspections.

VDVKKTISING doesn’t jerk—it puils. it begins very gently, but the pull is •steady. It increases day by day and by year, until it exerts rl irresistible power.