SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 2851, 9 April 1872, Page 2

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION.

To the Editor.

Sir, —1 think the Association may congratulate itself upon the success of its efforts for the first Saturday, as the shopkeepers and the public have well responded to its appeal. It is indeed a boon which will bring good to all. You made a statement the other day in one of your leaders, to the effect that the more the subject was studied the more reasonable it seemed ; and so it appears. Some time ago I read an essay, written by a work-ing-man in England, on the advantages of the Sabbath, and in it he stated its institution to be a wise act on the part of God, for the reason that by making a stoppage of all work it allowed work to accumulate, and helped to regulate its supply and demand; for if there w'ere no cessation the market would soon be glutted, aud men would have forced idleness, aud instead of only one day a week, they would have two or three weeks at a time, and be worse off in body and pocket. The same argument methiuks may be used in regard to the half-holiday movement, by the people as a whole leaving work to accumulate whilst renewing their strength in order to make it less, and at the same time making it so that many who go idle may have something wherewith to earn a livelihood. In walking, shoe-leather is worn out, giving work to’bootmakers ; iujpicnickiug, clothing and confectionery are needed; in exercises people will be made more hungry aud hearty, so that grocers and butchers will sell more of their articles, and other trades in like manner. The people, as a whole, will have better health, money will be circulated more rapidly from hand to hand, and tho poor as well as the rich will participate. Somebody somcwLero says that “to serve God and keep his commandments is the Avhole duty of man.” The half holiday will permit those who are religiously inclined to

perceive more clearly the truths of Clristianity ; whilst those who are not will have time and clear intellects to search and perceive their truth, and embrace them. Again, I noticed on Saturday Volunteers going in different directions with their rifles—l suppose to practice. Now it is necessary, if an enemy approaches our shores, that we should be able to show fight at least, lint how is it possible to make a good defence with men who, although they have the will, yet through being co ped up in offices and shops and having no exercise, arc unable to bear a heavy, hard day’s work. Then give the Volunteers a chance of becoming strong, able-bodied men, by letting them have a half-honday in the week to exercise their muscles. Forgive me trespassing so much on your space, I am, &c., Ives. Dunedin, April S.