THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2130, 21 May 1889, Page 3

THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

TO THE BDITOB. Sir, — In reading tbe "Guardian" on Monday evening I noticed a letter signed by Mr Alooru, referring to the halfhol day movement. After his speech at the pubho meeting a >me time ago, I think I Mr Aloorn might bave advanced some j fresh argumeots, aeeiug he has hid a| month to think the matter over. I was really glad to see that he trss m f *vor of a holiday, if It is only for one day a month* From bla argument at tbe paollo meeting I tbink it could be shown that it woald be an advantage for him to oLse for two daya a month. Mr Aloorn told the audience on that occasion " that be employed two bands constantly punohing butter, whloh butter be had to cell at a \ loss, and that If he closed for the halfholiday he would be obliged to take an extra hand to help them (punch battei at a lois) I think, ilr, tbat two men can put down something like 3 to 4 tons of butter a week, to tbat if Mr Aloorn U selling it at a loss It would be a splendid thing for him to close for one half-clay m the week, as it would be some saving on the butter aooount. Mr Aloorn leeniß to have great commiseration for the servant girls. If he is so impressed with the importance of giving them a half-holiday why does he not agitate for it himself, instead of sitting still and kindly telling others to do so? la that case there would be two philanthropic movements going on m Ashbnrton at the same time, for which the town ought to be tbe better. With regard to shopping after six o'olook 1 am inolined to regard this argument m the same light as the Saturday afternoon projeot— merely as a try-on to spilt up the movement. Hoping that suoh little business jealousies will be lost sight of m suoh a matter, and that all our tradesmen will be public spirited and out-right, I prophesy a suocesafol issue for the promoters of the movement* Thanking you for your ipaoe, I am, etc, Pko. Boko. Pdblico.

TO THI XDITOB. Sib,— la reply to Mr Robert Alaorn'i letter, I desire to point oat some few contradictions he makes, let. Mr Aloorn says " the time li not ripe for the halftollday." So ripe is the time and unamloue the opinion for the half-holiday Mr Aloorn, that your signature Is one of two required to make the movement a complete saooeEi. Seeing that yonr signature Is wanted how does this tally with the expression m your letter, viz., "I should very much like to hare It." In regard to the suggestion for the domestics and appeal to the philanthropic on their behalf" (see your letter,) true oharity starts at home. Are you prsotlolng what yon preaob, when yon withhold your signature to the present movement? You say that the movers m the halfholiday suggest that all stores keep open late. This Is deoldedly ref robbing and itia the first time I hare heard of it. What You really don't mean HI Add another fen hours on to the present six and a-half days ? Possibly you can give the names of them ? I desire to bear witness to the statement made by the Rev Mr Soott. I was not only a fortnight as you, were m London, but many years, and the majority of good firms closed at 6 o'olook and 10 o'clock on Saturday, Where they don't close, they serve up resurreotlon pies for the men, the said pies speaking plainly of the standing of the firms that don't olose early. Turning to Victoria, and 1 will add New South Wales and QaeensUnd, 1 have been m all three oolonles. What do I find ? Niaety*nlne storekeepers out of the hundred olose at 6 o'olook and I think m Viotorla early closing «nd the weekly halfholiday is now oompulsory by Aot of Parliament. Wishing eucoess to tha move* ment, and thanking you Mr Editor. I am «to. t ioHDONBE.