THE HALF-HOLIDAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 296, 10 September 1919, Page 7

THE HALF-HOLIDAY

PRIME MINISTER REPLIES TO ''■'~ QUESTIONS, Some' questions relating to the weekly half-holiday were asked of tho ' Prime Minister by Dr. Thocker in the House of Representatives. Dr. Thacker submitted • the following series of auestions:— (1) Whether the Government mil establish a universal statutory half-holi-dav from noon each Saturday? (2) Whether, if a whole statutory holiday comes on any other day in tho week than Monday, they will arrange that it be held the next Monday following, thereby allowinor our .wage-earners a week-end from ■Saturday noon till the following - Tuesday morning? -. ■ ■ Mr. Massey (Prime Minister) replied :- (1) It is presumed that item (1) of this question rofers to the weekly half-holi-day for shops under tho Shops and Offices Aot. Tho day of the half-holiday is fixed in each local district by the local authority, or by a poll of electors, who may decide rpon the day that best meets the- requirements and wishes of the residents. While the Government sympathises.'.with, the remarks of the honourable member,- it does not deem it advisable to interfere with tho convenience uf. the residents, at all events until mere is . a generally-expressed desire thi-ouehout.the Dominion for the legislation euiwsted.. (2) The Public Holidays Act. has already "Mondayised", Labour Dav and Dominion Day, It does not atroear practicable to similarly . alter Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's. Dav. or Good" Friday, which are holidays mentioned in section 19 of the Shops Act. nor the several Saints' days provided for banks in the Public Holidays Act.