HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2127, 6 May 1889, Page 2

HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

XO THE BDITOB,

Sib, — At the m- etlng held last Tuesday our worthy Mayor thought fit to ridlcula my eugcestino ithat the day should ba Saturday. Notwithstanding hla remarks, T am of the same opinion Btlll, and flitter tnyaelf I do not stand alone. I of think tho promoters and Bup partera of the inj?ement work together there will be very little doubt of their efforts baing successful more especially If they make the day Saturday. As for its being the fixed market day, like everything else no doubt it can be alteted, I tblok it simply rests with oar auctioneers, to do it, and one has expressed his opinion that there would not be the slightest difficulty. Let their weekly sales be held on Friday, which would also give buyers of hoisea e'c. a better ohanoa of getting their purchases home before Sunday. Let all wages be paid on Friday and retailers who now keep open on Saturday might do 10 on Friday. Iradeopeople who supply our dally wants oould easily deliver their orders on Saturday mowing m time to close at noon, one or, two ooloctt aa may be I arranged.

Employee! as well as employers oonld avail themselves of the half-holiday and possibly see their friends at a dlataDoe, or Indulge m our looal sports and amusements. To make the movement a snooesß all parties mast bave some consideration shown them. T feel aura there are a number of my fellow townsmen who woald gladly go away for a ohange from Saturday to Monday, who will be only half-be rtad m the matter If Wednesday is persisted m. The banks are olosed Patnrday afternoon, the faotory also, and (n Ohrlstohnroh many baslnesi people olose« The Railway Department there do not take goods after 2 p.m. Saturdays. I feel snre formers, their sweethearts and wives will have no o>>j«otlon to Prlday as their market day, and then if they wished they oonld join as m oar pleasures on the Saturday afternoon.

Lawyers I think would make no dlffi culty In wringing Saturday In lieu of the present Wednesday. No doubt there a?e many of as would be glad to weloome our friends from a distance on a Saturday, but are not likely t ) di so on a Wednesday.

As for men who take piece work, by all meaas lettham work as long as they wish, but I wonid sa£ee<t to the employers, not to allow the pobllo the opportunity of getting In to disturb them or this movement. I woa'd ask the well-wishers of the half holiday to work with a will together and m a straightforward manner, and If they nhould dlaoass th« usbjeot further through yonr oolamns, to|*dd their nances, we shall then kaow who is who, and not have to puzzle as to whtah fl*g they are coder. "Might or Right." I bid, etc, Albbrt T?obbrts,