THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 6, 16 December 1911, Page 5

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

A CONFERENCE OF DISTRICT

DELEGATES

LITTLE INTEREST DISPLAYED

The conference yesterday which was to have been attended by delegates from all the local bodies of the province, proved to a certain extent abortive, as only three visiting delegates attended. Consequently tne discussion was more or less informal There wore present: Messrs. J. -Masters (in the chair), G. W, Browne (Mayor of New Plymouth), R. G. Cook (Clerk to Kaponga Town Board) G. W. Bennett (Mayor of Inglewood), and the Secretary of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce (Mr. J. B. Richards).

The Cnainnan read a unanimous motion from the Stratford Retailers’ Association, stating that their Association was opposed to Saturday being observed as tne usual half-holiday. The Secretary of the Cham her of Commerce made a clear statement in explanation of why the Chamber of Commerce had taken action in the matter. He said the question of a universal half-holiday was originally brought before the notice of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce by the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce some eighteen months ago. But their action was taken at such a time that it was impossible to come to any conclusion at a sufficiently early date to admit of the question being settled, and any decision arrived at given effect to within the statutory time. Consequently they brought tin’s matter up again this year, and notified the New Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, who replied that they thought, as Stratford was in a central position, it would be better for them to take the initiative. The Stratford Chamber of Commerce decided that a universal half-holiday would be an advantage, but distinctly

wished it understood that they were not in the first place in favour of any particular day, but to give some sort of a lead to the different towns, they decided that they would mention the day. Stratford was in favour of Saturday. To arrive at that decision it was decided that Mr. Masters and himself be deputed to get the opinions of the shopkeepers in the town. They took lists round, and the result was a majority in favour of Saturday. Consequently in their circular to the various local governing bodies it was stated that the Stratford people were in favour of Saturday in order that those people who were opposed to Saturday might know that there was a feeling in favour of some particular day. They considered it advisable to let all the people interested know 7 what was being done, and, as they were aware, a letter was sent to all the papers in the province. Ho then read the renlies he had so far received, while, with the opinions received from those delegates present, brings the position ns follows:

New Plymouth—Saturday. Waitara- -Saturday. Inglewood—Thursday. Stratford—Saturday (according

to the list). Manaic,—Saturday. K a p o nga—Satu rd a y

It had, however, to be understood that tile holiday must be a universal one—that is, throughout the province, and the Boroughs mentioned were only in favour of these days under that proviso. Mr. G. W. Bennett said that Inglewood really wanted to see legislation on the Statute Book fixing one day as New Zealand’s weekly holiday. They favoured Thursday. Air. Browne said New Plymouth was in favour of Saturday. They recognised that this observance of two holidays was not doing any good. He read a table showing how the position was arrived at. He found that in New Plymouth the tradesmen were divided thus:—

Besides this, there wore a number of institutions whose employees at present received the Saturday holiday. Mr. Cook, who did not arrive till after the motion was put to the meeting. said his Board wished to declare their sympathy with the proposal in favour of a universal half-holiday, and were in favour first of Saturday, secondly of Thursday, and thirdly of Wednesday. The Chairman, in the informal discussion which took place, mentioned that he thought the Retailers’ Association should he represented, as the question of the holiday most vitally affected them. Mr. Richards seemed optimistic, and stated that he was firmly convinced that if a really representative conference had been got together a settlement could he arrived at. Other members, however, thought that the question could only he decided and finallv settled hy an Act of Parliament. The following motion was carried unanimously; “That this meeting affirms the advisability for a universal half-holiday for Taranaki.” After the meeting Mr. J. B. Richards received a letter from Patea. stating that they wore in favour of Saturday half-holiday at Patea.

Drapers Thursday. 5 Saturday. 4 Cabinetmakers — 4 Jewellers i 5 Boot trade 3 4 Cycle trade 1 2 Grocers . 3 5 Ironmongers 1 5 Clothiers 0 6 Painters — 1 Plumbers — 2 Auctioneers — 3 Chemists — 4 Stationers .. 4 2 Pianos — 2 Saddlers .. 2 3 Tobacconists 4 — Butchers 2 — Various other trades — 5 Total . 32 5?