OBSERVING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 38, 8 November 1937, Page 5

OBSERVING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Pres» Association.)

Suggested Fixation for, Mondays MANY ADVANTAGES

(By Telegraph—

WELLINGTON, This Day. A remit urging the observance of public holidays on Mondays whereve* possible was carried at the annual conference of the Associated Chamber of Commerce at Timaru last Week. It was introduced by Mr E. H^ Nimmo on behalf of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, "At present great inconvenience is experienced through certain holidays being observed in one district and not in another," said Mr Nimmo. "In tho interests of the community, it is suggested that all holidays be national in chaxaeter. I think you will all agret that the custom of .permitting the Arbitration Court to spocify in its award certain holidays for particular industries rOsults in confusion and inconvenience. "It is also recommended that, other than religious festivals, all holidays be observed on Monday. This would have the advantage of allowing an employee a holiday of which he can mako some real use — by extending the weekend. It is also in the interests of «n employer to avoid the inconvenience and disorganisation of a break in the week." He suggested that the national holidays — Ghristmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year 's Day, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday — be fixed by Act of Parliament. "As Anzac Day is essentiaBy a sacred day, I suggest that it be observed on a Sunday. Apart altogether from other considerations, the spirit of this

day, I consider, deinands that it shonld. be observed on a Sunday•', Falling on a Saturday or a Sundsy, . these holidays could be observed on Monday: Anniversary Day on the first Monday in FebruaTy; Dominion Day, the first Monday in March ; King's Birthday, the first Monday in May; Labour Day, first Monday in September. Mr C. L. Calvert, speaking as president of the Dunedin Beturned Soldiers, Association, took the strongest exception to any interference with Anzae Day. It was a day of remembrance and not a holiday, he said. Anzae Day had already been interfered with byi the Arbitration Court, said Mr J. .Gilchrist (Ashburton). Some awards provided that when Anzac • Day fell on a Sunday a holiday was te bo observed on the Monday. , Mr S. L. Wright (Canterbnry) _ favoured a survey of the whole position. He put forward his suggestion as an amendment. The sanctity of Anzac Day, had. passed, said Mr A. B. Hislop. The younger generation kn-e'57 nothing of Anzac Day and did not want to know anything. The remit was as follows: ■ "That all public ioiiaays should be: (1) National; (2) defined by Statute 'only (not by awards); (3) observed on, Mondays wherever possible, thus serving the best interests of employer and employee alike; and that the Banking Act, 1908, be immediately amehded se as to xemove the Saints' days from. the compulsory holidays provided by that Act." "There is little need for me . to amplify the great inconvenidnce cansed to all seetions of the community— especially the commercial community— through the banks closing on Saints* days," said Mr Nimmo. All person! : he had interviewed had been unanimons and emphatic that the Aet should bf amended. - u.-