Half-Holldey

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12748, 20 April 1909, Page 7

Half-Holldey

TO T»ni POTTO*

Sir, — As the date for the poll on the above question is approaching, I wish to point out to the burgesses and to those who ,have the interest of our town at heart, the following reasons why the Thursday half-holiday should be retained —

1. — 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. — That 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.

s.— 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 ani 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.

<*■ — That any movement calculated to injure or retard the progress <>f our town should be vigorously pioteste4 against. 9- — That these towns which have tried Saturday half-holiday and found it wanting state Ihe falling-off in the country huoin'MS is very ma-rked, which means that trade belonging to the town is diverted into other channels.

!0» — That it will debar the average citizen and country friends from shopping on Saturday night, and thus do away with a world-wide custom which bas 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 wil-li-ie to revert to the Thursday thus proved tho Saturday half-holiday was detrimental to their interests and the community in general.

In conclusion, thes« reasons should weigh with the intelligent and commonsense voter when they record their vot" at the poll on April 28th, revolving itself as it does into the question wh«themeasure should sfive place to business, and the advancement of our town. — I am, sir, THURSDAY.