The Waipukurau Press. Published: MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1927. ABSTRACT ARTICLES

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 45, 22 April 1927, Page 4

The Waipukurau Press. Published: MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1927. ABSTRACT ARTICLES

WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY. In most towns the question of fixing the day for observing the weekly-half-holiday is, periodically, a. contentious one, and only those with strong; convictions pro or con usually proclaim their point of view, while others are content to fill the role ■ of silent spectators, or find themselves, influenced by the big i;O., the side displaying the greater prospective voting strength. The weekly half-holiday was originally determined i upon, we believe, as an essential midweek rest from the strain of work, and Wednesday or Thursday -were the days most generally favoured. At present there is a growing demand, with which we have some sentimental sympathy — not having forgotten the call of youth —on the part of the younger generation, who arc in the majority because of the widened municipal franchise, to place sport in the forefront of the issue —not that sport is in the background in those centres with a mid-week observance of the half-holiday. In areas with community of interest it is very desirable that there should be unanimity of action as to the closing day, so that one town will not be placed at a business discount as compared with another. There is a considerable body of opinion -in Waipukurau business circles that, despite its advantageous claims as the largest and busiest centre in Central Hawke’s Bay, the town is not only suffering from the handicap inseparable from closing-down to town and country half-holiday business on Saturday, i.e. that incidental to the operations of ‘‘The Factory Act” and customary as applied to farm life, but the inroads made on Saturday by its neighbours, viz., Waipawa and Takapau, not to mention Hastings and Dannevirke. In a time of some financial stringency these factors are probably more poignant. On the other hand, *we have the confident assertion of such well-known business men as those who spoke at the first meeting of Saturday supporters, also their publicity officer, that local trade has not been adversely affected. Their views are certainly entitled to respect. This is the question: “Is it good business for Waipukurau to stand alone?” If business is prejudiced, then the interests, of all employees arc involved—and not only the employers or those *with small business enterprises that can be handled solo, but property-holders generally. Saturday is the “big day” of the week in most towns, while there is no comparison between the Friday late night activities—a fiasco in Waipukurau —and those of Saturday, as a visit to Hastings, Danncvirke, and smaller towns also, will amply demonstrate to the sceptic. There is no evidence available that recreation —with which is admittedly associated health —is less catered for in other parts of the province than in Waipukurau, nor that the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu districts,, included in the latter being Palmerston North, Levin, Foxton, Shannon, and Otaki (the latter a recent convert to Wednesday closing, consequent very largely on the competition from Levin, which for many years has observed an open day on Saturday) arc inferior to other Saturday closing centres in this respect. If football experience is any criterion, then Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu have little to apologise for. The Saturday business of Hastings, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, . and Levin, is, we opine, unequalled by that of any other day, not even excepting stock sale day, in the four town 4 Takapau is an unquestionably busy centre on a Saturday, and Waipawa is not to be despised. We have briefly referred to business and sport aspects, but what of the convenience of consumers? The country folk in most centres appear to favour an open-door policy for Saturday, baing attracted to town for participation in pastimes (actively or as spectators), shopping, and a visit to places of entertainment.

Factory workers enjoy a similar outing and facilities —not entirely at the expense, as is ofttimes suggested, of shopassistants, because the lattei* have the benefit of Wednesday’s recreation,' while exceptional cases are not infrequently met by special Saturday leave. Wo realise that the claims of the midweek break apart, it would be better to have a universal weekly half-holi-day on Saturday than a continuance of the irritant represented by one town gaining at the expense of another better organised in support of Saturday closing. It is a notable fact that no claim is made that business is increased by Saturday closing. We have no axe to grind in this matter, except the good of the community, in which we all share, but to remain silent would show want of appreciation of the evidence, furnished by experience 1 and observation, in our possession. On this score, facts alone have been adduced in elaboration of our viewpoint, the independence of which is strengthened by the fact that our staff and outlier arrangements are more adapted

to Saturday than Wednesday closing. Reasonably reliable statements from the respective bodies of opinion-—not forgetting the views of the general public, whoso franchise rights endorse the claim to recognition of patronage and convenience—have boon given as much space as a “square deal” warrants. We sincerely hope that the campaign will be terminated without any unfounded suggestions that ulterior motives arc animating the attitude of groups or individuals, and that differing views, when courteously and honestly put forward, will be mutually respected.