THURSDAY OR SATURDAY?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 95, 5 December 1911, Page 3

THURSDAY OR SATURDAY?

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION. At last night’s mooting of the Stratford Retailers’ Association the half-holiday question was very fully discussed. “As you know,” said the President (.Mr. R. Masters), “the Chamber of Commerce has taken a very active part in reference to the holiday question. They took two petitions round the town to got the views of the people, and I understand that a large majority was found in favour of Saturday.” Mr. Masters then went on to say that there were a large number of names on the petition that should not have been there. The auctioneers, for instance, were not retailers in the true sense of the word, and bad no right to dictate to those who were genuine retailers, He thought the Chamber of Commerce had gone to work in the wrong way. Ho understood the aim of that body was to get a universal half-holiday for the province. Yet it was practically universal now, and if they could persuade Hawera to go back to the old holiday, they would have a universal Thursday holiday in 'Taranaki. He certainly did not think it would be in the interests of the Association to change. Napier had gone back to the old regime, Nelson, after taking a poll of ratepayers, had reverted to the old order of things. He would like to hear the members’ views, and with that object moved, “That this, the Retailors’ Association, is opposed to the Saturday half-holiday.”

Mr. R. H. Robinson, in seconding the motion, said that he. would just like to say that from a rest point of view Thursday was the better day. “Wo get a rest on Sunday, or should do,” said ho, “and a rest in the middle of the week would: be more beneficial to everyone.” From friends in Napier he had heard that the closing of the shops on Saturday there had been a serious business, and they had to take active steps in the matter. He thought that the Chamber of Commerce went out of their way when they went round with the petition. Only bona fide retailers should have a say in the matter, since they were the oiies it most effected. Mr. J. F. Watson said he had much pleasure in supporting the [ rvpcsal. The Association had boon formed with the object of regulating the half-holi-day question, and it had performed its task faithfully, and everything had gone on satisfactorily since. There were not many retailers on the Chamber of Commerce, and if the matter had emanated from the retailers he would have been satisfied with it.

Mr. 11. ]). Lowers p\it the case for the drapers, summing up strongly against tlie proposed change. An opponent of the motion was found in Mr. E. Drake, who Said that from the employees’ point of view Saturday was the most desirable day.

Mr. Masters: But we represent the employers. Mr.'Drake: If the auctioneers could hs persuaded to alter the dates of their auctions, which were the main attraction for which the farmer came to ’town, the businesses would not suffer.. Besides, it enabled a man to clean up his,shop, which'he was not able to do late on Saturday night.

Several '.other members spoke in favour of the Vn'otion. Mr; Spence considered that' the Association should not'view tlie actions of the Chamber of Commerce 'in the spirit of antagonism. They should work together. They both had the interests of Stratford at heart, and the Chamber of Commerce was doing very valuable work. _ _ ' A,-. ’ This opinion was endorsed, by all of those present. On the motion being put to tlie needing, it was carried unanimously, u;d it was ; further .decided thar, a »;SV". of thg T .resolution he sent to the Borough Council and to,tlie Stratford chamber of Commerce. ..