DOMINION DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13397, 21 September 1907, Page 6

DOMINION DAY.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Septemlkr 20. The master bakers have decided nq.t to observe the holiday on 'Dominion Day. The executive committee of the Employers' Association passed a resolution, moit emphatically protesting against an}' attempt to constitute Pominion Day a "statutory holiday, unless, coupled with Labour Day. Ths Groceis Union unanimously decided not to elose on Dominion: Day. HOKITIKA, September 20. At an informal meeting of the Borough Council a programme for celebrating Dominion Day was adopted. The school children will muster, and with the volunteers will assemble in front of the Town Hall at 11 a.m. on Thursday, when the King's proclamation will ha recited, the New Zealand flag hoisted and saluted, and the royal salute given. .Speeches will be made by heads of local bodies and members of the clergy. The local bands will bet in attendance. The Mayor lia» declared a holiday to enable the citizens to attend. A PROGRAMME SKETCHED OUT. A meeting convened by the Mayor was held in the Borough Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, to discuss the question of celebrating "Dominion Day." There were about iive-and-fcwenty persons present, representing numerous professions and businesses, and the Mayor presided. Mr Craigie read a telegram from the Premier stating what the programme was to be at Wellington—commencing with the reading of the declaration at 11. His Worship said the first question was to decide whether Timaru should follow the example of the four centres and other towns, and fall in with the wishes of the Premier, or should follow the lead of Palmerston North and Dannevirke, and decline to take part- in the celebration of the change of title of New Zealand from "colony" to "Dominion." He had spoken to a' good many employers of labour, and all s-eeined willing to make, a full holiday of it, (in the understanding that it wax not to be made an annual affair. Referring (o the Premier's telegram, Mr Craigie said that it was evidently desired by the (.'ovemr.enh that th-_- Declaration should be rad all over the colony at the same hour, 11 a.m.. while th,- rest of the 'programme was subject to local arrangement. Mr C. S. Fznser suggested thai the proclamation be formally react as requested at 11 am., at. the Borough Council Chambers, and that if be read again, a.nd a popular demonstration bn made at Caroline Bay in the afternoon. The buslne-s people might be asked (o dose at noon instead of 1 p.m., and thai, would not greatly affect the business interests.

Major Beckingham said that arrangement would be otherwise suitable, but there would be no -muster of volunteers to salute the Hag- The men could not get away from business. The District _ Orders that" had been issued require the volunteers 1o parade at 10 a.m. to salute the Hag at 11: and in the afternoon there were to be a. consecration and presentation of Colour.s and a presentation of medals. Rev. A. C. Hunt; as chairman of the Main School Committee, and speaking for the chairman of other town committees, protested against the proposal to give the schools a holiday for a, purpose which had no real meaning'. There would be nothing for the children to remember, except the fact that they had a holiday. He strongly deprecated an interference with school work on such an excuse.

Mr Valentine, headmaster of the South School, fully endorsed Mr Hunt's protest against breaking into the school work in the middle of the week.

Asked whether thev would agree to a half holiday Mr Hunt and Mr Valentine said they might agree to that if the schools could extend the morning work to 1 p.wMr Or. P. Wood, chairman of the Waimataitai said the cadets of that school certainly would not turn out in the forenoon.

Mr Bavdsley suggested that as cheap fares would rule that day, the shop-keep-ers might be unusually busy, and any curtailment of business should be discountenanced.

Mr W. G-. Irwin, representing* a largo employer, said their men were very much against losing a day's pay. and -would not willingly agree, and Mr" W. Wade as a manufacturer concurred. After some further discussion it was unanimously resolved that the usual course of business should not be interfered with; that a formal reading of the Declaration be made at 11 a.m., and that at 2.30 itbe read again at Caroline Bay, in the presence of the volunteers, cadets and public, to be followed by other volunteer arrangements for the day; the schools'to continue* the morning's work till 1 p.m., and shops to close at 1 t).m. as usual.

The Mayor, Major Beckingham, Captain Foden, Messrs Bardsley, Hunt and Valentine were appointed a "committee to make any necessary arrangements, and the meeting terminated, the. Mayor expressing ahope that employers who have- volunteers working for (hem will let them off for the afternoon, and that school committees and teachers, and the public generally, will do what they can to make the function a. success, and a credit to the patriotism of Timaru. *