CORRESPONDENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1371, 4 November 1884, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

To the Editor.

Sir, — I am glad to notice that the employees in the various stores have formed themselves into an Association for the purpose, not of shortening their hours of labor, but of resisting an unjustifiable attempt on the- part of one or two grasping individuals to lengthen them by keeping their places of business open to a most unreasonable hour to the injury of their fellow tradesmen who have hitherto and still continue to c'ose their shops at 6 pm. during the week and 9 p. m. on Saturdays. Surely, Sir, from 8 o’clock in the morning until 0 in the evening is quite long enough to keep men and women in close shoia and work-rooms. Although the employees do not find fault j with these hours, neither do they find fault with their employers who have | (very properly, I think) signified their intention of keeping open to the same hour as the individuals referred to, unless the said iniivduals can be brought to close at the hours already mentioned, viz , 6 p. m. during the week and 0 p m. on Saturdays. I trust the working classes in partciular will do all in their power to assist the men and women employed in shops in their efforts to resist the lengthening of their hours. The deputation which was appointed to wait ujon the employers succeeded in getting the signatures of all except one, but alas! alas ! it seems there must be a Judas in every community, for 1 noticed an advertisement from one of these who signed the requisition to close at 6, iu which he calls the attention of the public to bis particular bus ness, and, at the same time, announces his intention of keeping open eyery night t ill 9 o’clock. And, mark you, Kir, the advertisement appears simultaneously with the one publishing j the names of h»so willing to close at 6 p.m. during the week, his name being the last on the list. The only way I can account for thjj sudden change la hint Is

the changeableness of the weather, which must have acted on his very merouritl temperament I know a great deal more can be said on this subject, but_ 1 will leave it Id more able hands, thanking yea for allowing me space for the above.—l am, etc. , No Weathsrcock.