NO "DECLARED" HOLIDAY

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 38, 14 August 1919, Page 7

NO "DECLARED" HOLIDAY

MAYOR REFUSES A REQUEST,

"Very reluctantly, I have refused a request to declare a public holiday on the arrival of H..M.S. /New Zealand next week," stated the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) to a Post reporter to-day. Mr. Luke, in explaining his attitude, stated that the matter of "declared" holidays had given him considerable concern. Up to' a comparatively recent period the same difficulties which existed now were not apparent, but' at the present time a "declared" holiday meant a. considerable strain on the city's finances. Formerly when a holiday was granted to the staff, the latter were willing to mako up the time lost, but since the council had engaged in utility' services and commercial undertakings the position was different. It was quite fair that the whole staff should be treated alike, and those who oould not take the holiday because of the nature of their work were entitled to extra pay. Under those circumstances, a half-holiday cost the City Council about £300. The finances would not stand that strain. There were other reasons why the Mayor oould not agree as to the necessity of proclaiming a holiday. : He said that the people wouT3 have ample opportunity of inspecting the ship, in Which they were naturally very interested, and ho intended to make representations to have the ship thrown open while in port for inspection, on the Saturday afternoon and Sunday.