THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MUNDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1929. THE HALF HOLIDAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5375, 16 January 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MUNDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1929. THE HALF HOLIDAY.

The day on which the half-holiday should be observed comes up for consideration every year. In the towns public opinion is always divided, and, uhfoi.tunatejy, a good deal of feeling is sometimes shown, whether a day i.n the middle of the week dr Saturday is favoured depends; upon the point of views and the; emphasis placed on the different, aspects of life. There is, a right and a wrong way of looking at the whole question, and the first thing to consider, is the pur-, pose of the half-holiday, which was instituted so that the assistants in shops and offices could enjoy a little break during the six days including the long night for shops. It was recognised that the; continuous strain was too great. Not only was the legislation humanitarian, but it undoubtedly resulted, when properly applied, in greater efficiency without interfering with the volume of business done, since the Act w’as passed further consideration has been shown shop and office assistants and working hour.s have; been reduced. Summertime has conferred still greater benefits, and as far as the assistants are concerned it cannot be said that the conditions, under which they earn their livelihood are at all harsh. An important question is : What do shops exist for ? Is It for the assistants ? Emphatically no I So far as a community is concerned, even the interests bf the individual shopkeeper do not count. The only justification for any business fr.om the point of view of society is to be found in the value of the services given. In this connectoin there are important points tw consider, in the first place, how far do the business houses of Paeroa go in giving services th,at cannot be obtained elsewhere ? If the; town of Paeroa were the only shopping place for the farming community for which it is the natural centre; the town would develop much more rapidly. We know that there are neighbouring towns proclaiming the excellence; of their wares and services, that there is such a thing- as, the parcel post, and that there are big city house? which draw a large proportion of their custom from the country. The Paeroa business man has to consider all the forces operating against him, and he must take full advantage of opportunitie? not available to competitors. Above all ho mus,t consider the convenience of the farmer, .the producer of the wealth on which the, business ■ man relies for prosperity. Unquestionably the day which best suits the farmer and his wife for shopping and other business transactions is Saturday. If anyone doubts that Iqt him coiisult the farmer, or let him consider what is happening with those towns in which shops are open on Saturday afternoon and evening. The experience of Te Aroha, with Morrinsville; on one side and Paeroa on the other, has demonstrated that Saturday is the best day for business. On Saturday evenings the streets are lined with cars, busq 3 , and all kinds of motor vehicles, and there is undeniable evidence that the town is drawing business from districts, whic.h geographically should shop in other centres. There is not a busi-i ness man of any standing in Te Aroha who would, declare in favour of the Saturday half-holiday. It has been said that if the goodwill of parent's, is dqsired the children should be considered, and we know it is the custom of farmers, when the half-holiday

does not prevent it, to visit the shopping centre .with their wives and families once, each week. These family outings are not possible on any day but Saturday because of the claims of education, and when the motor-car and improved roads have done so much to better the lot of the farm<V', adding greatly to the pleasure of his weekly visits to the town, should the business people, who know nothing of .the; drudgery of country life, Ruthlessly deprive him of a privilege so highly valued ? Saturday is the farmer’s day fds. shopping, and he has a right to be considered. The business community should rem'ejmber that they are there to give service, and that service should be given in a way and at a time whem it will best suit those they seek to serve, and on whose support they rely for their own success. The gis.eat majority of business pepple favour a mid-week half- t holiday, but the main voting power is in other hands. The prosperity of the town, however, is something in which all are concerned, and it is to be hoped that wisq counsels will p'sevail.