THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11486, 20 January 1903, Page 6

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

DEPUTATIUiN TO THE LIXWOOD COUNCIL.

A depntatioQ, consisting of Meesrs W. CoDgrev«, A. H. Blake, G. Shaw, F. Steele, W. A. Tribe, T. Kincajd, T. E. ToneycUffe, G. Daviea, and D. Smith, waited oil the Lin wood Council last evening, to urge that body to "support ihe Thursday halfholiday, instead of Saturday, ac previously decided. Mr W. Cpßgreve stated that 750 signatures iroin Linwood had been obtained to a petition for the retention of Thursday a<t the half -Holiday.' He urged etrongly the advantages of observing that day, asd aaked that no alteration should be nude without a plebiscite being taken. He expressed regret on learning that the Council's delegate in the matter had not been left with a free band.

Mr (J. Shaw, of the firm of Shaw, Robineon and Co., also skike. Mr W. A. Tribe said , that on Saturday he did as mock business as on all the other days of the week combined, and he wa« not singular.

>Mr A. H. Bkke, Baktx, thought that the advocates of Saturday took the stand they did merely from £ho point of view rf recreation. They would not suffer themwlves, because their business was spread over all toe week. Mr T. E. TonervolifSe stated ihat the euggested alteration had been forced on by a f-ew eolfiah persons, aad the meoaacice and working classes would Buffer by the change. He -would prefer to see a -waole ■hoiTday given on Thursday rather tjian — c half on Satifrday, which could never be come general, owiin-g to the neoesaity of exempting butchers, toaier*, and otiier tradwincn. Mr B. Smith said t-Tiat the farmers wefe strongly op.pos?d '-o ::ny change. In reply ti> a qtuttion of the Mayor, Mr Congrtve strted tl»at the deputation wisbe<l, the Court:! at 2eai=t to give their delegate a fi'cp Jiasd.

Cγ. i>:ed remarked that, stveral farmers had told him t.he.v were in favour of Saturdixy. Hz could not understand why the le:wii;jj fitins should advocate any change," if they tlsouyht it would result so dtsastrously. TlTere was much to be said on both Hides. Mr CongTeve stated .that the petition to ba presented on Wednesday would contain over 20,000 signatures. The Mayor staled that he dwL not think mueli could be done, but the matter would bs considered carefully. After the usual courtesies, the deputation withdrew. Tilt resolution in favour of Thursday was afterwards rend, and was *een to amount to do more then an expression of opinion. The Mayor, as delegate on the subject, was not specially instructed to vote, for Thursday. .."■'• .

pT. Seed stated ihat it had come to hie knowledge that persons were oeing , paid so vmith for every 600 signatures they obr tamed to the petition in favour of Thursday. His own wife had seen a girl of thirteen signing the petition, wiho admitted,, when quesuomed, tbat she did not know what it contained.. He recommended the Mayor not to attach much importtance to either petition.

The matter was lefi at this.