THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1190, 21 December 1894, Page 38

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

ANOTHER MEETING.

A VOTE FOE WEDNESDAY.

A meeting of those in favour of making Wednesday the weekly half-holiday was held in the Exchange Hall last week. Mr J, Smith (Te Aro House) presided, and there were between 60 and 70 persons present.

The Chairman pointed out that for the last two years they had been closing their shops ©n Wednesday afternoon, which had been found to work very well with the employers and the employees, and also, he believed, with the public. Now there was an effort being made by shopkeepers down Lambton quay way to get the day altered to Saturday. That would be ho sacrifice to those on Lambton quay, but it would by no means suit those at Te Aro, and they must stand shoulder to shoulder to protect their interests. If they put their views before the Council in an emphatic manner they would have some weight with that body, because it was a fact that Saturday afternoon closing would mean the crushing of the smaller shopkeepers. (Hear, hear.) Mr W. E. Woods said he and others had canvassed the town, and had got a very large number to sign a petition in favour of Wednesday. Cuba street, Manners street, Newtown, Courtenay place and Tory street were almost unanimous in favour of that day, and they had a fair amount of support on Lambton quay and Molesworth street. Many people would be absolutely ruined if they had to close on Saturday, while those who were in favour of that day would suffer no -hardship if they had to close on Wednesday. Mr W. Coltman moved, “ That this meeting is infavour of Wednesday being the day of closing.” The motion found a seconder in Mr D. Asher, and it was carried unanimously. Mr T. P. Coveney moved, " That a deputation representing this meeting be appointed to wait on His Worship the Mayorelect.” Mr C. Smith seconded the motion. Mr W. Coltman said if the Council fixed on Saturday as the day for the holiday, he should close on Wednesday and open on Saturday." ' The resolution was carried, and Messrs J. Smith, W. E. Woods, W. Allan, H. Fielder, E. W. Wilton, T. P. Coveney and W. Coltman were appointed to act as the deputation. Mr W. Allan moved, “ That this meeting being unanimous in its opinion that Wednesday is the most desirable day for the half-holiday, all those shopkeepers who have signed the requisition be invited to form a deputation to wait on the City Council on the 20fch inst.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Burbidge, and carried unanimously. A collection was made for the purpose of defraying expenses, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr W. E. Woods and other workers for the energy they had displayed in the matter, and to the chairman for presiding.