The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1909. THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12199, 17 April 1909, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. "Nulla Dies Sine Linea." SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1909. THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

The people of Wai.ganui would do well to give very serious consideration to the various aspects of the question before deciding, as they will shortly be called upon to do, as to whether-it would be in the best interests of the town to drop the mid-week half-holiday in favour of a universal half-holiday on Saturday. We are not at all sure that the change, if made, woiild prove tho boon which its advocates anticipate, while we believe there is good ground for the fear expressed by the shopkeepers who dis cussed the matter last night that Saturday closing would entail a serious fall-ing-off in business. It may be said that this is merely a, matter of opinion, that as the experiment has not been made it is impossible to do other than conjecture as to how it would operate, and that there is no justification for tho assumption that loss of trade would result. To this, however, the shopkeepers are entitled to reply that the experience of other places in which the Saturday holiday has been tried has not been such as to warrant Wanganui in following their example, and that, apart altogether from outside evidence, they, the shopkeepers, ought to be the best judges as to the manner in- which their trade would be affected by the change. And in this connection it should be borne in mind that any serious fallingoff in trade would inevitably lead to a proportionate reduction in the number of assistants employed in the shops, and so would redound to the injury of "the, workers . It is well, too, to look at the matter from the point of view of the holiday-makers. Would the "observance of a universal half-holiday tend to increase the facilities for popular enjoyment and- recreation ? We very much doubt whether this question can be honestly ' answered in the affirmative. Wanganui, fortunately, is more than usually well provided with public reserves. Nevertheless,, pur playing fields are, as a rule, fully occupied on Saturdays and pretty freely "used on Thursdays. Under the existing system of divided observance of the weekly; halfholiday there is, practically, room for all who wish-to participate in one or other of the popular out-door recreations. This would certainly not be the case if all the people are forced to observe ,the: holiday on the same day of the week. The recreatiftn grounds would probably be overtaxed, and a good many people who now spend their half-holiday, either Thursday or Saturday, v,ery pleasantly, would probably find their holiday occupation seriously curtailed. This, it seems to us, is a consideration which ought not to be overlooked. Reverting to the' business I side of the question, which, after all, is the most important consideration, in •that it involves the welfare of both em- ! ployers and employees, we think we are right in saying that the petition in response to which the poll is to be taken was originated by gentlemen whose businesses are of a kind which make it; immaterial whether they close on Thursdays or on Saturdays . There are, however, a very considerable proportion of businesses to the proprietors of which the day fixed for closing is anything: but a matter of indifference, and it is only reasonable that their . interests, which affect the commercial and industrial welfare of the community generallyj should be considered. We do not doubt for a moment that those who are I moving to secure a general week-end holiday in place of the mid-week break are actuated by the best intentions; but we cannot help thinking that in their zeal they have permitted the sentimental aspect of a universal holiday" to blind them to the importance of the material and practical side of the question, and to the fact that country peoplo as well as townspeople are entitled to have their conveniences regarded. Wednesday, as of course we know, is the country people's market day; but we also know that their shopping is by no means confined to that day, and that a large number of them prefer to come into town for the Saturday afternoon and evening . There are, indeed, many things to be considered before it is possible to arrive at. an intelligent decision upon a matter such as this, affecting as it does so many and such varied interests. We hold no brief for those who wish to see the Thursday half-holi-day retained; but we are anxious that the question shall not be decided by a hurried and ifl-considered vote. We want every voter to look at the' matter all round, not onjly from his or her personal point of view, but also from the point of view of the best interests of the whole community. To. this end it is highly desirable that the advocates of change and the defenders of the present system should place their respective arguments clearly and concisely before the public.. ~■,..,