WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 950, 24 July 1903, Page 2

WEEKLY HALF-HOLIDAY

PROTEST AGAINST ADOPTING SATURDAY. A meeting was held at the Borough Council Chambers last evening to consider the Shops and Offices Bill. There were present : His Worship the Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Rosie, Lang, Friar, Garrett, Craig, W. Miller, Eure, Hawkins, Whitby, McConnell, W. Pettie, Ambridge, Shierlaw, Robertson, and T. Adair. The Mayor said the meeting was to consider the Bill before Parliament, which 'jupportod the Saturday half-holiday. Mr Garrett: They have had a trial of the Saturday half-holiday in other places. Mr Craig thought there was no one in tho room in favor of it. Mr Eriar said they should send a strong petition, as well as a letter, to the district member, that Gisborne was opposed to the Saturday half-holiauy. He also asked if Saturday was rejected by them was there another specified date ? The Chairman said that the Bill specified Saturday. Mr Ambridge concurred with Mr Friar’s remarks in regard to the petitiou. Mr Pettie thought they should oppose the passing of the Bill. ’Mr Garrett said what .they all objected to was the Saturday half-holiday. Mr Ambridge considered that the employees and those having the female franchise might get up a counter petition. His Worship considered that a subcommittee should be set up to draft a petition. • Mr Whitby contended that there would be no time.

Mr Garrett said that the employees were all satisfied with the present Bill. The Chairman said that he had not known of a single petition from the employees. Mr Pettie said the Bill should be read, as there might be some objectionable clauses, and there might also be beneficial clauses both for employers and employees. They were only voting in the dark; time should be given to peruse the Act. The Chairman said that they would not have time, as the Bill had passed the second reading. Mr Whitby considered that they were present to object to the Saturday halfholiday. Mr Friar said he would like to hear the Bill read, as he was not aware of what the preamble or body of the Bill contained. His Worship then proceeded to read the Bill. Mr Pettie said if the Saturday half holiday were struck out the question was would the other clauses be suitable ? As far as the clause for paying shop assistants overtime, he considered it should be objected to. The good feeling that at present existed between the employers and employees should not be disturbed. They were not on the same footing as the factories.

The Chairman thought that a committee should be set up. Mr Pettie considered that they should protest against the whole Bill. The working of the present Act was satisfactory. Mr Friar thought they should not protest against the whole Bill. Mr Pettie : We have got a good Act. Mr Craig protested that they were called together to deal with the Saturday halfholiday. Mr T. Adair was satisfied to leave the matter to a committee. Mr Eure thought the only clause that would affect them would be the paying of overtime. The Chairman proposed that a committee be set up to draw up a petition protesting against the Saturday halfholiday, to consist of Messrs T. Adair, Friar, Ambridge, and Miller. Mr Eure seoohded the motion. Mr Miller said he did not see why a committee was wanted at all. The meeting oould do the work, and he proposed that they protest against the half-holiday. They could instruct His Worship the Mayor to wire to their member to oppose the Bill in every; way. ' Mr T. Adair said that the idea of a committee was to go into the Bill. He seconded Mr Miller’s motion, which was unanimously carried. The Chairman’s motion was then put to the meeting and carried. %