THE BUSINESS WEEK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10537, 12 August 1912, Page 1

THE BUSINESS WEEK.

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY AN ADVANTAGE. REFORM PROGRESSING LOCALLY. Although the advocates of a universal Saturday half-holiday, like the advocates of a canal for Christclmrch, have temporarily suspended their crusade, the reform is making considerable headway in Christclmrch, where the business firms themselves are beginning to realise the advantages of a continuous week of business and a restful week-end. Following the lead of other firm's, the New. Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association has decided to close da stores at midday on Saturdays from the end of August. Mr W\ Jamieson, acting manager of the company, was asked the reason why his firm had adopted the new halfholiday. "The question," he said, " has exercised tlie directors for two or three years, and, having gone fully into the returns, they find that Saturday is. the most suitable day for the majority of the shareholders. There might perhaps Bo a slight falling-off of trade for a fewweeks, but wo do not rely on a cash Saturday trade, and the loss will soon be repaired, especially as we have not kept optm on Saturday nights hitherto. Wednesday has become more and more tho farmers' market day, with the result that several departments have to work late on Wednesday night to get the deliveries off by 1 p.m. on Thursday. This \nioans that great numbers of orders have to bo left over till Friday. " On Saturday," Mr Jamieson continued, "the Railway Department, the banks and most business houses close at noon, so that it is a disadvantage for a retail concern to have a different half-holiday. In addition to-that, the wool sales always occur on Thursdays. In any case, a broken week is a muddled week, and makes for inefficiency. The staff welcomes a Saturday halfholiday, and we are learning more and more to appreciate the value of loyal and enthusiastic employees." ,