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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9022, 29 October 1892, Page 4

The meeting of employers, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and others interested in the half-holiday and shop T shutting question yesterday, did not advance the problem much towards solution. Most of the gentlemen present were connected with wholesale businesses, where at present the Saturday afternoon is observed without any disturbance. They declined to pronounce decidedly for the Saturday afternoon, considering that the question was one which the retail dealers, who must agree as to which day was most convenient for them, must settle themselves. The meeting, however* carried a resolution in favour of paying on Friday, so that, if the Saturday afternoon were agreed upon, the wives of working men might make their purchases on Friday night. It seems, however, impossible to get a general agreement for Saturday, and apparently, we shall have the very awkward arrangement of one part of the community having their half-holiday on Wednesday, and the other part keeping Saturday. The butchers complain that Saturday will not at all suit them. Many working men never dine with their families except on Sunday, and the joint is invariably purchased on Saturday evening. We doubt whether this custom could be altered even if all working men were paid on Friday night. The general opinion seemed to be that, for Parliament to allow people an alternative course in an Act which is compulsory is a mistake. Parliament should decide on what day all shops should close, and should employ a sufficient number of constables to see that all the shops are duly shut, and that if any sale is made it shall be punished by imprisonment.