THE HALF – HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15390, 27 August 1913, Page 10

THE HALF - HOLIDAY.

SUPPORTERS OF WEDNESDAY.

ANOTHER POLL WANTED.

DEPUTATIONS TO M.P.'S.

A deputation of over 40 shopkeepers, headed by Mr. H. A. Coates, waited upon Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P., yesterday in connection with the half-holiday question. Several members of the deputation said that the shopkeepers in every class of trade were being very seriously affected by being compelled to close on Saturdays. Particular reference was made to the unfortunate position of the small shopkeepers, who, it was said, were feeling the effects of the new scheme very keenly, and we", being faced practically with ruination. The speakers stated that Wednesday was by far the most satisfactory day for shopkeepers and the public alike, and urged Mr. Myers to support the Bill which it was proposed to bring down providing for another poll on the half -holiday question.

Mr. Myers, in reply, said he was entirely in sympathy with the proposal. He was thoroughly convinced that the nev; scheme was doing harm, especially to the .small shopkeepers, and he assured the deputation that he would have very much pleasure in supporting the Bill for another poll to be taken over the whole area. A deputation, comprising about 30 members of the Shopkeepers' Defence Association, which now has a membership of nearly 1000, waited on Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., yesterday afternoon. Mr. J., H. Hannan and a number of other speakers urged the necessity for another poll. They contended that the Saturday, half-holiday took away a great amount of money from the shopkeepers and diverted it into picture shows and public houses. Mr. Glo stated that he had received a number of requests from the advocates of both sides, and he was not going to try to please both. He could assure his hearers that ho was not going to see monopolies created and the small, struggling shopkeepers crushed. He was not going to commit himself either way at present. Ho urged them to trust him implicitly, and he would vote _in the manner his conscience directed him.