Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 37, 11 September 1890, Page 3

Correspondence

«, TVE2>NESDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. TO THtt KOITOU OF THE STAR. Sir, — I was glad to notice in last Tuea<day's Stab a letter re Wednesday half lioliday. Feilding has been exceptionally free from strikes of every kind, and I "would not like to see the matter entered upon in a strike spirit, but there is no 'doubt the holiday is a necessity, for what time or opportunity haye our young men engaged in shops and stores got for recreation? None whateyer. Their hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. on Saturday. Theirs is one monotonous xound of labor, unbroken by one chance of pleasure, with the exception of the statute holidays. The matter was fairly broached in the South Island, and carried through to a most^nccessful issue, Wednesday after one o'clock being observed as a close holiday. A public meeting was called, which was addressed by M.H.B.s, clergymen, doctors, lawyers, &c, rules adopted, a committee formed, all storekeepers waited on, who all agreed (without one dissentient voice) to close. Nc exception of any kind was made. The only concession allowed was — Hairdress ers and fruiterers were permitted to reopen at 6 p.m. Notices were printed, at the expense of the employees, intimating that after a certain Wednesday all the business places of retail traders would close jit 1 p.m. These were distributed te the several traders and enclosed in all accounts sent out. Permission was also obtained from the City Council to toll the iire-beil at 1 o'clock, when all shutters were to be put up. Owing to the immense success of the scheme, all football, cricket, &c, fixtures were arranged for Wednesday. Ido not think there is any necessity for me to dilate on the advantages of the holiday. They are too apparent, for in the caße above referred to, not only did the employees look eagerly forward to, but the employers fully appreciated the boon thus granted them by the Wednesday half holiday. Hoping the Mayor, or perhaps the leading traders, will at once call a public meeting, I am, &c, Shopman.