HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 40, 10 November 1937, Page 6

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION

Government Investigating the Position UNIVERSAL OBSERVANCE An indication that the Government is investigating the question of a universal half-holiday throughont the Dominion is given in a letter received by Mr E. L. Cullen, M.P., from the Minister of Labour, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, in reply to representations made on behalf of the Hastings Saturday Half-Holidav Association. It will be reealled that, towards the end of last year, a move was_ made in Hastings to have the shops observe the Saturday afternoon as the" half-holiday instead of Thursday, as had been decided upon by a poll some years bacR. Arising out of this movement a petition was cireulated asking the Hastings Borough Council to seek authoritry to take a poll on the question, and this was duly forwarded to the Minister of Babour. Last week a speeial meeting of the association was held to consider the position and it was decided, in view of the close proximity of the municpal electons, which are to take place next May, that the petition should be withdrawn and asking him to ioform the Minister of the position. In response to these representations Mr Cullen has .received the following communication from the Minister : — "With reference to the letter addressed to you by the chairman of the HalfHoliday . Association, ' Hastings, I havo to advise that- a review of the Shops and Offices . Aet is being undertaken, and in obnnection therewith, the question of the universal half-holiday throughont ;the Dominion is one that will receiy'e-th'e careful consideration of the Government."