THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8273, 4 June 1890, Page 5

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

MEETING OF THE EMPLOYEES. THE MASTERS AND COERCION. MnsTiNuof the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Early Closing Association was held yesterday evening at Robson's Rooms, Mr. Runciman presiding. The meeting was called in order to reply to certain statements made by the employers at their meeting on Monday. _ Mr. Ritncimak said they had met to consider the employers' views as sot out at their meeting on the previous evening. Copies of the Hekat.d's report of that mooting had beon printed, and could be obtained in the room. Mr. Runciman said that a great deal was made about the closing of the shops whilst those in the suburbs ar«l by-streets were kept open, and said the Association had time after time explained that it was proposed to carry the movement into the suburbs, and spread it through Newton, Parnell, and Newmarket, and all the suburbs of the city. VV hen the employers represented the employees as opposed to their interests they did not state what was fair. The employees had the welfare of their masters' business at heart. Mr. Runciman maintained that the Association had not made any threat of boycotting, and it was unfair to say that they had. He pointed out that a certain traveller in tlvis city had been boycotted because he had given a subscription in support of early closing. Even if it was true that they had decided to boycott those employers who did not agree with them — and it was not so—was this not the action taken by the Trades and Labour Council and kindred labour organisations? The Chairman, in answer to a question, said that the city shops would lose only eight hours under this movement, while the suburban shops would lose ten. On the motion of Mr. Dixon, seconded by Mr. Selke, it was agreed, "That, in the opinion of this meeting-, the statement made at the meeting of master drapers on Monday is incorrect—namely, that the assistants care for nothing but themselves, and are regardless whether their employers sink or swim." It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Singijoton, seconded by Mr. Gaze, "That the secretary convey the thanks of this meeting to Mr. \V. Beehan and Mr. A. C. Caughey for their manly defence of the drapers' assistants and the Saturday half holiday, at the meeting of the master drapers, held at Robson's Rooms, on Monday. " The following resolution was also agreed to: —"That this movement for the Saturday half-holiday did not originate with the assistants, but amongst the employers themselves, and that when the assistants know that, they at once endeavoured to carry it out to a successful issue." The meeting decided to send delegates to the meeting of employers to be held to-day —Messrs. Chapped and E. C. Browne.