HALF-HOLIDAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9568, 26 October 1892, Page 4

HALF-HOLIDAY.

TO THE EDITOH. Siu,—lt is a pity those who advertised in this morning's Times that they will close from Wednesday, November 2, did not wait till a fuller decision was arrived at. Ib will be absurd for half to close ou Wednesday and the other half on Saturday. I hope better counsels will prevail. Judging from the enormous number of signatures to the petitions presented at last night's meeting, it seeras no matter what shopkeepers do, the public, backed up by the unions, intend in a most effective way (in not purchasing after 1 p.m.) that Saturday shall be the holiday. Thoso who keep open may find that their occupation, like Othello's, will be gone for that day at least, and that those who close aud keep open on Wednesday may reap the richest harvest.

1 deny Mr Sligo's assumption that it is absolutely necessary for the shops to rcmaiu open on Saturdays. His references to railway servants, cabmen, and medical men are not analogous. When a man takes ill, his doctor, no matter where he is or what he is doiug, must attend him or he may die. This is a case of absolute necessity. Aud railway servants and cabmen's services are most needed on holidays. This, too, admits of no exception. But it is different with shopkeepers. Another time can be easily arranged for the public to make its purchases; and if it can, without decreasing the usual turnover, why shouldn't it, especially when it gives a host of people a well-earned holiday ? I say work hard from Monday to midday on Saturday and have a holiday that will invigorate us for the following week's duties. Wednesday puts everything out of joint. It does not fall in with other people's holiday, and no man after a holiday the day before is up to his work the next i«orinnj». It was once prophesied that business would decrease if we closed at 6. I am glad that Mr Sligo has seen that this did not come off. Let us hope he will live to sco his present prophecies receive a similar answer.— 1 am,&c, October 25. Josevh Bhaituwaite.