JUBILEE COMMITTEE “UP AGAINST IT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18466, 18 May 1928, Page 7

JUBILEE COMMITTEE “UP AGAINST IT.”

EMPLOYERS’ DECISION IS “ BIG HANDICAP." “It will be a big handicap to us,!’ said Mr C. H. Clibborn, chairman of the Entertainment Committee, when the decision of the retailers was brought up at the meeting of the committee yesterday afternoon. “Thousands of people who would otherwise be taking part in the celebrations will be unable to attend. Several of those participating in the chess game are affected. I am very much afraid that we are up against it.” Mr W. 11. Joyce: How does it affect office workers, members of trade unions and Government employees? Mr Whatman: In regard to the Government employees, a letter has been sent to Wellington asking the position, but so far no reply has been received.

It was suggested that the Mayor could be asked to write to the various firms suggesting that they should close their premises for the day. “I can quite appreciate the employers’ point of view,” said Mr Clibborn. “It would mean a considerable loss of business to them. But, after all, a diamond jubilee occurs but once in sixty years, so it would not hurt them very much. The employers have brought up the matter so late in the day that it is now almost impossibly to make arrangements to meet the circumstances. They might have’ given us a little more warning. They have had two months to think it over.” On the motion of Mr J. W. Crampton, it was unanimously decided that the committee should recopimend to the Mayor that he should ask the citizens of Christchurch to observe the day as a public holiday.