THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT ON THE DECLINE.

Evening Star, Issue 3264, 6 August 1873, Page 3

THE EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT ON THE DECLINE.

To the Editor. Sir, —You are aware of the efforts put forth by the drapers’ assistants of this City to carry out the >aturday half-holiday movement, and of its continuance for the period of ten weeks ; when, 10, a mighty voice was heard, and an announcement made in the daily journals by a drapery firm at the north end of this City, and within a thousand miles of the Octagon, that as concerning hem they were determined the Saturda> half holiday should be no more, and their announcement was carried into effect by opening their establishment, and the result was that the other drapery establishments were compelled to follow. Seeing they had failed in this movement, they endeavored to shorten the late closing system on Saturday evenings, and had met with success ; when, 10, another voice is heard from this very same firm, who have opened another branch of rheir business, within twenty miles of the University, that the nine o’clock movement shall meet the same fate as the Saturday half-holiday did, for since they have started this branch they have continued to keep open to a very late hour, long after the other establishments have been closed. On last aturday evening we perceived another establishment only half closed, instead of, as formerly, being closed altogether; and we know not but that next Saturday night others may follow in their steps ; and thuthe assistants in this line of business, both male and female, will be compelled once more to return to the long, dreary, and unnecessary hours of endurance, to which they looked back with favor and thankfulness, to know that this long-hour system was now a thing of the past. To the public and to our employers—shall it be so? Will you allow .so great a boon which you are conferring upon such a large section of the community, to be wrested from them, for the sake of one firm in this City ? I trust not, but that the future shall give the answer in continuing the present nine o’clock system.—l am, &c., Anti-Slavery. Dunedin, August 4.