The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1882. EARLY CLOSING.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 963, 24 November 1882, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1882. EARLY CLOSING.

In onr impression of Monday a correspondent gave a f«w particulars concerning the efforts made some time ago towards closing the shops in Patea at an earlier hour than was then the practice. He showed how the movement had nearly proved successful, and how it had subsequently failed. The subject seems to be a deserving one, and we should like to see (he public take a little interest in it. Onr correspondent says that there are only three classes, interested in the matter—the public, the employers,, and the employees. So far, he is- correct, and we think it will generally be conceded that the shortening of the hours of labour, where such can be done without pecuniary loss to either party, would be a desirable thing. There are obstacles in the way of accomplishing any reform, and the custom of late shopping appears to be pretty deeply rooted everywhere, and difficult to break through. The public then are not likely to take the initiative, and as onr 'correspondent soys, it must be left to “ the other two.” “ The employers,” he writes, “have the best of it, and if they are against any alteration, there is no prospect for the employees but the same drudgery ns heretofore. If, however, they are in favour of six o clock, or (as I have heard hinted) of closing early on three days a week, let them call a meeting and discuss the question on its merits. . Till . then I would advise all employees to steer clear of the whole concern.” We hardly agree with the extract quoted above. Decidedly those most interested are the employees, and instead of leaving it to their employers they should take the matter in hand themselves, and see what can be done. There is no doubt that the working hours of those in many of the shops anti stores are altogether too long, and such as would not be tolerated by any other class. The working day generally is recognised as eight hours for everybody, except the unfortunate shopmen. Why this should be, we fail to see. Why it is, is easily discerned. It is because the public are unreasonable enough to expoet that shopkeepers shall, from early morning till late at night, be ready to attend to their wants, never thinking that in purchasing late they arc compelling their fellow-men to remain at the counter for some hours more than are actually necessary for business requirements.

The greatest sinners are those who would stick hard for an eight hoars day themselves. Eight hours work, 4 , Eight hours play, Eight hours sleep, and Eight bob a day T . That is their creed, and the employees will have to take steps to show them that it should apply all round, so far ns the working part is concerned. The public, therefore, will first have to be asked to make their purchases earlier, and abstain from late shopping. Once get them out of their present bad habits, and the employers can easily bo got to accede to some reasonable request in the matter of early closing. As a first step, the six o’clock idea oh throe days a week is a good one, and should be conceded without much demnr. A half holiday on some week day, as is now the practice in Hawera and one or two other townships on the coast, may come in lime. But all things have a beginning, and the greatest chance of success would, we think, lie in asking the public to assist the employees, by purchasing as early as possible during the day. We hope they will take t lie hint.