THE HALF-HOLIDAY

Patea Mail, 29 July 1936, Page 2

THE HALF-HOLIDAY

MEETING AT ELTHAM SATURDAY FAVOURED A meeting of Taranaki Businessmen was lielil at Eltham on Monday, all Tai'jumki towns with the exception of New Plymouth, which already has tjho Saturday' half-holiday 1 , being represent* eid. Patea was represented by Messrs O’Reilly and Wainwright on behalf of the Businessmens’ Association'.;

The delegates were welcomed by Mr. Peebles, president Eltluun Chamber of Commerce after which Mr. W. J. Smith, Inglewood, was voted to the chair. •

A letter was read from Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., regretting his inability to be present. Mr. AVilkin;sou pointed out that it was considered advisable to have a universal- half-holi-day in 'Taranaki. Legislation would be. necessary.' He suggested that if .a poll were to be taken oii the question that farmers shoal'd have an opportunity of expressing their opinion, as most of them were in the habit of doing their shopping on a; Saturday.

Mr.■.’Wilkinson added that'the possibility 'of a forty-hour week being granted by the court also has a bearing on the matter, and this should be considered, because, if granted, it will probably moan a five-day week. It is also fairly safe to assume 'that even though hours of work widre hot reduced below 44, if “a Saturday, half-holiday were decided on, it would not be long before the demand would bo made — and it'would, be hard to resist—to close the whole day. After a full discussion the following resolution was carried with one dissentient, ,‘Thati this meeting representative of tiro business and retail interests of Taranaki, favours Saturday as the weekly half-holiday and that the nec- N cssary stops be taken .to secure Satiurday as the provincial) half .-holiday. ’ ’ Moved by Mr. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Everslicld it was carried with one dissentient. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs T. Gr. Liddington, E. O’Reilly, T. W. Armitagc, E. W. Peebles, W. Hosldn, W. J. Smith and E. Mactzig, or their nominees, was appointed to further the proposal and to write to the local bodlcsin the districts asking their support in bringing the matter before Parliament.