THE SHOP HOURS ACT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9028, 5 November 1892, Page 3

THE SHOP HOURS ACT.

In response to a requisition signed by eighteen employers, ratepayers, and inhabitants of the Borough of Newmarket, a ' public meeting was held, last night, in the Council Chambers, Newmarket Hall, The Mayor, Mr. George Kent, presided. There were about twenty-live gentlemen present. Mr. Bishop, the first speaker, urged that the only suitable half-holiday was the Saturday afternoon. Young men who were given the Wednesday afternoon, hardly knew what to do with themselves, for there were no amusements going then. He believed that ' the result of employers making two halfholidays in the week, would be that the ' Legislature would eventually make the Sat--1 urday afternoon compulsory. He felt quite sure that the assistants in those shops which now closed on Wednesday were strongly in favour of having Saturday J afternoon. He would move, "That the only satisfactory half-holiday would be • Saturday afternoon." Mr. Dinnstou said ' he did not see any reason why Wednesday ' should not do a.3 well a3 any other day. I The present Government seemed inclined to ' legislate upon anything and everything, and 1 he would not be surprised to see a Bill brought in next session to alter the Sunday 1 and make, Thursday to be observed as Sunday instead. Mr. Hogg said that nothing 1 much could be done unless unanimity prevailed. It seemed as if Newmarket would ; 3 have to follow the example of the city in i this matter, and Wednesday seemed likely to 3 be the general day. Mr. Bishop pointed out 3 that the question was not whether the shops 3 should be closed, but on what day the 1 assistants should have the holiday. Mr. 3 Bishop's motion was' carried, two voting 3 against. Mr. Lumpkin said that the motion 1 had been carried by mechanics, who sold 1 neither tea, sugar, nor perishable goods. 3 The Newmarket butchers were in favour of ' Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Bishop further ' moved, "That a united effort be made by ' the employers to give their assistants a holiday on Saturday afternoons, and to pay 6 them on Fridays, irrespective of closing ' their shops." Mr. Angus seconded. Mr. Hogg moved as an amendment, " That this meeting, while fully recognising the advan- : cages of the Saturday half-holiday, agrees to co-operate with other centres as to the day 1 to be fixed." The amendment was lost, and ' the motion declared to be carried. The Chairman remarked that only about half of those who signed the requisition were present. Messrs. Kent, Holmes, and Bishop [ were appointed a committee to give effect , to the resolution passed by the meeting. A j vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.