REASONS WHY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2432, 10 April 1915, Page 9

REASONS WHY

fHE HALF-HOLIDAY BATTLE

REPLY TO SPORTS BODY

- The body which was formed ' this .week under tho title of the Shopkeepers Defence League, was asked by an influential sports institution if the League could advance any reasons why thero : should not bo a universal Saturday half-holiday in Wellington. The Leaguo drew up a set of fifteen reatops, and it is understood that they 'have had the effect of preventing the institution referred to' from throwing in its lot with the Saturday half-holi-day movement. The League's set of reasons is:—

» 1. The Wednesday half-holiday for : j&hops has given general satisfaction. 2. Thero is more retail trade done in (Wellington on Saturday than any two jpr three days in the week, i ; 3. Wednesday is a more suitable day for the half-holiday than Saturday, iboth for buyers and sellers. 4. Wednesday half-holiday consti■tutes an agreeable break in the week (which is greatly appreciated by tradesmen and many of the assistants. ' -5. A large proportion of the retail .itrade at present done on Saturday would be lost or diverted in other, directions if a day other than Saturday ,were chosen, because no other day suits .the country and suburban'people 60 The week's work is practically jover the children are' not at school, jand hence the parents and children are free to oome to town 'to make any ■purchase necessary. "' 6. Artisans, labourers, factory hands fend others, have their holiday on Saturday,- hence if retailers were closed, ia very large section of the publio will lave no opportunity of making their purchases in the day time, but will .lave' to resort to late shopping. 7.' Supporters of the Saturday halfiholiday contend that Friday night will Wo for the late night, but they forget .that Saturday is followed by. the SunSay's rest,_ whilst Friday is followed by a working morning. '' 8. With the ever-increasing rates and [taxes in the City, tradespeople cannot jafford to do a less volume of business, and the natural consequence of any decrease' _will_ be an increased oost 6f .living which is already too high. 9. Despite statements to the con■traTy th© retention of the Wednesday half-holiday' will not affect any class bf workers who at present observe the (Saturday.

10. Those shopkeepers who prefer to close on Saturday will still have tie option of closing on that day, as at present, but if Saturday is decided on,_ no such option is permitted, d which is surely as undemocratic as it is unfair.

i 11. The Saturday half-holiday is not '[Universal. The Act exempts the folUowing trades:—Butchers, hairdressers, [tobacconists, bakers, chemists, confectioners, fishmongers, florists, photographers, refreshment rooms, hotels, and •fruiterers, so that' a large number of 'shops in the City and all the shops fcutside the district, will be open on Saturday, whilst a few. traders will lave to close. This is manifestly unjjust. £ 12. The present accommodation of tennis courts, crifiket and football grounds, bowling greens, and other tsports grounds is taxed to the utmost )on Saturdays, l and overcrowding arid 'great inconvenience till result 3 these pleasure resorts are asked to accom- ' imcdate double the nnmber. ' 13., From returns'of the Railway Department 5000 shoppers come into .Wellington every Saturday; these will be distinct loss to'the City. .' \ 14._ In the midst of the greatest war ira history, it is unwise to make suoh St change. f 15. In Auckland and Christohurch, Swhere the Saturday half-holiday was icarned, and where it has stood on trial Sor two years, steps are being taken in both places to take a vote of the people with the idea, of reverting to the mid-week holiday. Had the Saturdav /-halt-holiday been" the success that its claitn, no such step would Uiave been taken. ■