THE HOLIDAY TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1159, 21 June 1911, Page 6

THE HOLIDAY TROUBLE.

PARTLY SETTLED. ' A universal observance of Coronation Day is not yet in prospect, but it now appears that tho holiday will be observed by a largo majority of trades. A prominent instance of probable non-observ-ance is that of the grocers. The master grocers have finally decided to open 'their shops for business on Coronation Day. They explain that they have adopted this courso unwillingly, owing to the absence of any provision in tho Grocers' Award enabling them to substitute one holiday for another, and to tho fact that tho employees' union, at a general meeting, rejected a proposal that it should agree, to tho substitution of Coronation Day for tho Prince of Wales' Birthday. Though they have separately considered tho matter, it appears (hat neither party in tho grocery trade, employers or workers, has approached the other with a view to a settlement of tho holiday difficulty. Tho secretary of the employees' union' (Mr. E. J. Carey) stated yesterday that, from what ho know of the members of tho union, lie believed they were prepared to forgo a day's pay if they were granted a holiday on Thursday. Master butchers and employers of drivers have announced their intention of taking advantage of a clause which is common to tho awards governing their respective industries, and runs:—"When any holiday shall be generally observed on another day than that prescribed hereby, the provisions of the award shall apply to such substituted holiday." Butchers and drivers will, therefore, make holiday on Coronation Day. The Builders' and Contractors' Association has decided to recommend the trndo to observe Coronation Day if it is generally observed in the city. The recommendation, it is believed, will bo followed by most of those engaged in tho building industry. Master drapers are amongst tho traders v.\ho havo practically decided to observo a holiday on Thursday. Tobacconists have not made any collective arrangement in regard to the Coronation holiday. Mr. J. B. .Speed, president of tho local Tobacconists Association, slated 'yesterday that the Closing Committee of that body had not moved in the matter at all. Personally, said Mr. Speed, ho intended to observe the ordinary statutory half-holiday on Wednesday (today). Possibly he might closo on (ho afternoon of Coronation Day. No doubt a similar courso would bo followed by. other tobacconists. At a committee meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board, held yesterday afternoon, a resolution was passed deciding that the Prince of. Wales' Birthday bo celebrated as a holiday on Coronation Day (to-morrow), instead of Friday. Tho Prince of, Wales' Birthday is a board holiday, and not an award holiday as far as tho wharf labourers are concerned, and it is quite competent for tho board to change the date of the observance of any of (ho holidays (apart from thoso set out in tho award). This means that tho wharves will lw closed for holiday to-morrow, and work will bo resumed as usual on Friday morning. The City Council has decided that its employees shall observe Thursday (Coronation Day) in lieu of Friday (Prince of Wales's Birthday).