HALF-HOLIDAY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12202, 21 April 1909, Page 5

HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—As the date for the poll on the ■ above question is approaching, I wish to point out to the burgesses and to tliosewho ;have the interest of our town at>. heart, the following reasons why theThursday half-holiday should be retained:—•

I.—The great portion of those who advocate the Saturday half-holiday have it already, and it would not in any way interfere "with them; I refer to wholesale merchants, ironmongers, lawyers,. estate agents, those employed in factories, and others. 2.—That Saturday half-holiday, if carried, remains for two years and cannot be altered during that term. 3. —Thai it seems, very unfair that, business and trade generally should suffer because'a portion of the community; place pleasure in front of business. 4.—That the Saturday half-holiday has been tried in several towns in the Dominion, and results prove that trade has suffered. People will not shop on Friday night, hence a large portion of the last business usually done on Saturday night would be lost . 5. —That the Thursday half-holiday has worked splendidly for a number of years, and has given general satisfaction.

6.—That it is too risky to change a; certainty for an uncertainty.

7.^—That retrenchment will surely follow on a falling off in the business returns, which means that those employees who are paid above Statute wages will have to be reduced and working expenses curtailed to the lowest limit.

B.—That any movement calculated to injure or retard the progress of our town should be vigorously protested against. 9. —That those towns which have tried Saturday half-holiday and found it wanting state the falling-off in the country business is very marked, which means that trade belonging to the town is diverted into other channels.

10. —Th : at it will debar the average citizen and country friend from shopping on Saturday night, and thus do away with a world-wide custom which, has existed centuries.

11. —That the Saturday half-holiday was experimented with in Wanganui some years ago, the result being that those business people who voted for it were only too willing to revert to the Thursday, thus proved the Saturday half-holiday was detrimental to their interests and to the community in general In conclusion, these reasons shouldl. weigh with the intelligent and commonsense voter when they record their vote at the poll on April 28th, revolving itself as it does in the question whether pleasure should give place to business, and the advancement of our town. —I am, sir,

THURSDAY.