FACTORY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2187, 17 September 1907, Page 2

FACTORY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, September 16. This morning twenty members of the New Plymouth Employers’ Association waited upon Mr. H. Okey. M.H.R., in the Borough Chambers, in respect to-the half-holiday trouble that is at present causing so much agitation. Mr. Malcolm (M.H.R. foi Cliltha) was also present. It was urged that iit was in the interests of the people who came from the country on Saturdays to have both shops and factories open. Unless the population exemption was increased to 7500 or more it would militate against the extension of borough boundaries, for which there was a growing feeling in N.Z. Some members expressed the belief that the only alternative would be a universal Saturday half-holiday, but the association declined to give an expression on the matter. The following was unanimously carried: —“That this meeting of employers recommends that all towns outside the four centres urge upon the Minister for Labor the necessity of making clause 9. sub-section 2, of the Bill optional for both factories and shops and factories combined.” I. INVERCARGILL, September 16. A public meeting this afternoon considered a telegram from the Minister for Labor, stating in regard tc the half-holiday that no more option could be given than that at present existing, whereby the people may declare any holiday for shops. He had no intention of taking away the Saturday holiday from those who have enjoyed it for years. He was prepared to consider the question where the shop and factory were under one roof, but no further. The meeting resolved to thank the Minister, and to advise him that if the right of factories connected with shops to close be made to include'lnvercargill shopkeepers, they would be satisfied; but urged in the interests of the town the general application of option.