THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4518, 22 January 1923, Page 2

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

A UNIVERSAL IDEA. BUSINESS MEN UNANIMOUS. To-night the Paeroa Borough Council meets for the purpose of fixing the statutory halMiqliday. Though from a business poijjt of view the holding pf the half-holiday on Saturday may not be altogether desirable, the business men of Paeroa appear to be practically unanimous in desiring to adhere to it, considering that, as there is a universal desire for Saturday—which enables shop assist- • ants .and others to participate in week-end sports—it should be retained. Several business men were seen by a "Gazette” representative for the purpose of ascertaining whether this impression was correct. The Mayor (Mr P. E. Brenan) said: "We have had the Saturday half-hoil-day for six years, and it appears to suit the business people and their staffs. Persohally, therefore, I see reason to depart from the Saturday.” Mr D. Brown, manager of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co., said : “Saturday, of course.” Mr Brown added that he held this opinion because it appeared to be a universal desire that Saturday, should be t»he statutory half-holiday. Mr H. M. SJiand : "Yes, I favour the retention! of the Saturday half-holiday, especially as it Is becoming universal. Mr S. J. Hedge : "Saturday, without a doubt. A universal half-holiday is better for everyone concerned. It does not make one iota of difference to business. In other towns that I have been in they have had Wednesday, and I have advocated the change to Saturday. On Che change being made I have watched business closely and proved that it made no difference from that point of, view. The Saturday half-holiday is more satisfactory to everyone concerned.” A number of other leading business men of the town expressed similar opinions to those given above, eactr one expressing a desire to fall in with the views of the majority. Though the business men are unanimous, a section 'of the farming community are in favour of Saturday being the late shopping night. As, however, a great number of town employees would be adversely affected by an alteration .they are accustoming themselves to the half-holiday as 1 at present fixed. In one or tv* instances the “Gazette” representative chanced across men whp considered that business suffered to a slight extent by not having the late shopping night on Saturday. These, however, were unwilling to give their names, and did ;not desire to press their point. It is pretty evident from the opinions expressed that the Borough Council will be unanimous in deciding that Saturday shall be retained as the statutory half-holiday.

STUDY THE FARMERS. CAMBRIDGE’S ATTITUDE. Mr S. Lewis, Mayor of Cambridge, in speaking recently on the statutory half-holiday question, said that he had given the matter a great deal nf consideration. Cambridge was a dis- - trict which depended largely upon She farming community. From a recreational point of view Saturday certainly was the better, day. The employees desired Saturday. He thought Cambridge had suffered from loss of business with t'he Saturday half-holiday. He had now come to the conclusion that Wednesday would be .the most suitable day. After all, one’s bread ' and butter was really the most vital point to be considered. They could , not afford to let business go from their town. It had been proved that the town depended solely on the sue-, ce.-s of the farming community, therefore farmers were worthy of consideration in this matter, ffe would give his casting vote in favour of Wednesday 'half-holiday, but he was going to ask the business people tc close their premises at 12 noon, -ju / the half-holiday instead of 1 p.m-