SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 7

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY

REFERENDUM ON SUBJECT RECOMMENDATION TO GOVERNMENT. {From Ouk Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 22. A recommendation that the Government should favourably consider the holding of a referendum on the' subject of a national Saturday half-holiday was brought down by the Public Petitions Committee in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr W. E. Barnard stated that, there were distinct advantages to be derived from a national half-holiday which would obviate the position which existed at present where districts were divided into groups tending towards social cliques. He pointed out that a five-day week was fast becoming a matter of practical politics, and for this reason it was more necessary than ever that a national Saturday half-holiday should be, observed. It would do away with a great amount of petty jealousy that existed between neighbouring towns which were, to a certain extent, competing against one another. " I feel sure that if this proposal Is endorsed by the Government there will be an overwhelming, majority in favour of a national Saturday half-holiday," said Mr Nash. " I trust that the Government will give effect to the wishes of a large proportion of the people of New Zealand." The recommendation was opposed by Mr C. 11. Clinkard, who said that in his opinion the democratic principle was the one at present in force, under which the people of different communities were enabled to choose for themselves when they would observe their half-holiday. He saw no reason why the present system should be changed. Mr H. Holland stated that in Christchurch there were two seaside boroughs which reaped a harvest on Saturdays from the people visiting the seaside, and they would lie deprived of this advantage •if a national Saturday half-holiday were instituted. He contended that each locality should be able to choose the half-holiday that suited it best. The report of the committee, which was presented by Mr R. A. Wright, was laid on the table.