SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14131, 1 June 1920, Page 5

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —* 1 Zabeuc.us, ’ ’ the great “I Am," has written! People, bend your knee to the autocrat in our midst who challenges the worker on whose authority we desire the above issue! Members of the Chamber of Commerce, rescind your motion in favour of the universal Saturday half-holiday, because I'm “credibly informed" there will be a reduction of business! Members of the Labour Party and citizens, a new commandment: “Gaze at the shop windows five days of the week, and on tho afternoon of" the. sixth commence shopping.'’ It’s more sociable, and gaslight gives an added value to the goods. Shop assistants, do not whisper “Good luck" to your wish of a combined workers’ outing unless your “employer orders.” Don’t you know, in other cities like “ours." where Saturday half-holiday is in vogue, that business is at a standstill! Fifty hours a week for shopping, and citizens have not enough time to shop! Workers in the broadest term, strive for your combined half-holiday, so that, all classes can mingle Together. “Zabeucus," your piffle is absurd and bullying,’but your nom-de-plume appropriate. Allow me t 0 write it as it is pronounced—- “ Shabbv-Cuss. "I am etc., FAIR I’LAY. Masterton, June Ist.

(To the Editor.) pit-.—ln your paper of yesterday I noticed someone calling himself “Zabeucus" taking “Shop Girl" to task. I am a “counter-jumper" m one ot the largest retail businesses in this town, and can safely say that “Zabeucus-- is talkin'' rot and doesn’t know anything about°it; and, also, is poking his nose in where it is not wanted. I know for a fact that every one m y fellowworkers would gladly change for the week-end holiday, and have the long-ni-dit, on Friday if necessary, although the long-night is now getting a three, there is a rush from 7.30 to 8 p.m./aml then—well, it is only wasting gas, as the majority go . off to the- pictures, and, further, there will. b<p no lotas Of • business,’'as trade- will be--more regular and not so spasmodic,-thq assistant, being able to give more attention to the individual customers, with -the result that the latter is able to make a better selection, and is naturally more satisfied. I have no recollection of Ihe meeting mentioned bv you, “Zabeucus," and think you have been misinformed. If you are cored, they _ certainly have since changed their minds, and the big majority now hope that Saturday will be the universal hnltliolidaW throughout New Zealand in a very short time. It certainly lias been a .success where tried, and not a failure, ns you suggest, and I have not heard of any assistants Starving through it. Trusting some more able person will take this matter up—l am, ntp COUNTER-JUMPER, Masterton, June. Ist.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—lf your correspondent, “Zabcueus” was to got personally into touch with the shop assistants of this country he would find out that 99 per cent are in favour of Saturday half-holiday. If he made enquiries he would also know that in cities where the Saturday haltholiday is observed the wages are somewhat higher than in most of the country districts. So his argument in that respect falls like a pancake. I understand that the Labour Party claim to be progressive, therefore it. is a pait. of their business to support, the Saturday half-holiday movement and make it universal; and I, for one, endorse their idea. Re the snub they are going to get, according to your prophet, “Zabeucus,” well that won’t hurt thorn. Ever since Labour has been organising, both industrially and politically, ha\e had snubs and mud thrown at them very regularly; but the first shower of rain ahvavs washes it off. I am, etc., “ZAKARIA.”

(To the Editor.) Sir,—At all times I’m a believer in fair argument, but 1 strongly object to the insult your correspondent “Zabeucus” threw at. the shop assistant when he styled them “counter-jumpers.’’ Now who is this man? Possibly he may be a quill driver, or, much more likely still, one of those remittance men who have’nothing to be proud of but their ancestors (the monkey). He says he is not acquainted with the shop assistants personally (his loss), aiul yet he tells us that he did not see one at; a recent Labour meeting. Next time we will bring the counter with us—the minute intelligence of “Zabeucus” would certainly make a guide necessary. He takes the opportunity of persuading us (thanks awfully) not to shorten the hours of labour, because it would affect business. Has he ever heard that over a year ago we changed our closing hour from 6 to 5.30 p.m. without any loss to business or any employer wanting to return to the old time. Now “Zabeucus” tells u s that the shop assistant doesn’t want the Saturday holiday. He’s talking through his hat.' Not only do three parts of the shop assistants want it, but all of the intelligent employers want it, too. Next time, “Zabeucus,” please know what you are talking about. But at the moment our impression is that a whitebait for brain could beat yon easilv. —I am, etc., ONE OF THE CROWD. Masterton, May 31st.