SATURDAY CLOSING.
Sir, —As a- lady shop assistant for many years, I would like with your permission to give my , opinion as to the beneficial effects or otherwise of compulsory Saturday closing for shops. If Saturday is carriod, when are the thousands of girls employed in workrooms and factories to do tlieir slopping? Some say between 5.30 and 0 p.m., but only we who work hard all day know how untidy and disinclined we feel to purchase dresses, coats, hats, etc. Besides, daylight is absolutely necessary to select and blend shades to be worn in daylight. Out of twenty girls I speak to, eighteen will say, "It's quite immaterial to me. I don't care. Only my mate wants Saturday, or we want the week-end pleasures." Are we fair to voto for compulsory olosing if our employers find Saturday the best day for trade, especially at such a time as this, when our best loved are giving their very life. blood to ensure safe conditions for us? When we wanfl constant employment and increased income to enable us to take the place of those who are shielding us. Can we afford to take the risk? Increased trade means-increased staff and premiums, overtime, etc., swelling our earnings; it is reasonable that decrease in trade will mean decrease in wages.
The majority of us like the present break in the week, while the Saturday holiday folks would soon find Wellington afternoon and evening a very different. place to our present busy,, bright crowded streets. Dunedin and Nelson tried Saturday closing, to the bitter sorrow of many, and gladly reverted to former conditions, and if it is true that out of 600 employers in Auckland 500 regret closing, and are voting for Saturday's business back, surely we should consider well. Are we like 6heep following without _ thinking? Are we weighing a few hours' pleasure and self-interest against loss that must naturally revert back to ourselves?
Will every wage-receiving man, woman, boy, and girl ponder the matter, and consider will it really benefit you ? Will it pay ? I for one would he exceedingly sorry to lose my Wednesday half-day, but would sacrifice that and life itself, as our boys and men are doing, to make conditions better for all, but in voting for compulsory closing are we wise?Working girls, especially I appealto you. Think for yourselves, Is it going to make conditions better for you? I doubt it. —I am, etc., _ A FELLOW EMPLOYEE.
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Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4
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409SATURDAY CLOSING. Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 4
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