SUNDAY AT HOME.

Southern Cross, Volume 14, Issue 41, 8 December 1906, Page 6

SUNDAY AT HOME.

A REST DAY FOR FRANCE. Many eyes, says the Recorder, are turning to France in its days oi religious unrest. Tb.e separation, of Church and State has been eagerly discussed, and we are all anxiously watching the course of events. Even more important than this ecclesiastical question is the new law which requires all employers of labour to give their assistants one full day of 24= hours in the week. It needs to be extended, but it is a step in the right direction. The Act strongly recommended Sunday as the day of rest, because unanimity on that matter in the different trades wouid strengthen the bonds of family life by giving households the opportunity of meeting together. A lady sends to the Guardian her experience of the first Sunday in September, when the law comes into operation. The Parisians looked somewhat disconsolate as they walked the quiet streets. Brief announcements on the shutters bore witness of the difficulty of changing the habits of a nation. The provision merchant closed from noon on Sunday to noon on Monday. The baker chose Monday, the hairdresser fixed on Thursday. The butchers were undecided. One kept his shop open, and arranged to give his assistants a day off in turn. The huge bazaars were, however, all closed. Some of those who benefit by the Act are suspicious of it. They think it will pull down wages, and to the thrifty Frenchman wage is more than rest. The Government gave a week’s grace, so that the Act was not in full operation on September 2nd, but there is hope that a little experience will make masters and men prize their day of rest, and lead them to spend some of it in worship and religious service.