THE HALF HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, 25 October 1889, Page 2

THE HALF HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

. ■•* -^ A very good meeting of the employers and employes of the town was held at the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening* last, about 10 persons being present. Mr Honore was elected to the chair o;i th» proposition of Mr Toe. The Chairinnn, in opening the meeting, said the}' were called together for the purpose of making arrangements as to closing their different places of business one half day in the week, and the meeting tonight would decide which day that shon'd be. Most 1 }- all the business ni'-n of tho place were of opinion that Tuesday was the most desirable. day, but speaking individually, lie hould prefer it to be on either a Wednesday or Thursday. If this closing movement were an established fact, it would b«» better for bo h e nployers and employes. He 0 lduded his remarks by reading the notice in the Manawatu Hervld convening the meeting, and asking for any proposition. Mr Khodes proposed, seconded bj Mr Levi -n, " That all tlie places of business in Foxton close on the first Tuesday in November at 1 o'clock, and every succeeding Tuesday.'" Mr Patten asked the chairman if all tlie business people had agreed to close. The chairman called on Mr Fraser, the acting secretary, to answer Mr Patten's question. , Mr Fraser said he had canvassed the town thoroughly, and he was glad to say had not met with a single refusal. K letter was here handed to the chairman from Mr Samuels, R.M. Htore, regretting his inability to hs presant, . but taring he gave the movement every support. Mi- Funston asked tlie chairman if it wbb to be a permanent holiday. The chairman lolieved it was to be. He then read Mr Khodes' proposition again, and nsked for a call, when trie motion was oarried without a dissentient, amUat loud applause. : Mr Levien proposed, and Mr Hennessy seconded, " That a procession be formed to celebrate the early closing." (Applause). Mr Fraser proposed, as an amendment, '• That the employes celebrate the closing by r fancy costume cricket match,"

Sesonded'by Mr Philpott. 71-»e chairman called lor a tfWw of bands', tflYefr the amendment was carried, Mr Osboriie stfid he thought an agreement was necessary to be signed by allfthe business people before the meeting closed, and went on to say that many years ago #hen he was an euiployed in Foxton, how {[if half holiday had been talked about then, but tfever cftnie to anything. He congratulated My, I'iflser lax the -manner in vrhich he had taken up (he matter, and the successful issue he had brought it to. He would propose, "That an agreement be signed by all the business people of Foxton with regard to the early closing." Seconded by Mr Coe' arid carried. Mr Osborne said that the place should be well placarded, and the alterations announced, so that customers would be well pmfe'l up as to the closing day. Mr tfcAlfeter thought a better way wonld be to have a neat card printed, with the alteration thereon, artd send one to each of the mills in the district, and have them in the different stores also. He said that placards were too light, but a card could be put op in a mill, and would be less liaWe to ' be torn down. Mr Frasersaid he would guarantee that the place should be well advertised .is to th» alterations, and would propose, " That the employes subscribe among themselves, and pay the cost of advertising and printing, in .; connection with the half holiday movement." . ■•• ' > ' ' ' Seconded by Mr Philpott, and carried. Proposed by Mr Patten, seconded by Mr T)u Temple: *" That Christmas Eve anrt New Year's eve, falling on a Tuesday, I* exceptions as regards closing. — Carried. . Proposed by Mr Coe, seconded by Mr Levien, "That the bueiness places, here close the whole day on Monday;. 11th November, and not on Tuesday, 12th. — Carried. ' ■ '■ Mr Patten thought the- thanks of the . -„ meeting should be given Mr Fraser for the ; energetic manner in .vhich he had carried the meeting out, and proposed—" That Mr A. Fraser be appointed necretary tor the Association, and receive the thanks of thf? meeting for his. past services.'" Seconded by Mr Dv Temple, and carried (Applause.) Proposed by Mr McAlister, seconded by Mr Deßidder — " That the employees record . a hearty vote of thanks to their employer* for coming forward and granting. the half, holiday." — Carried. ■ A vote of thanks to the chair was carried, and the agreement being signed, the meeting closed with three cheers for the.employ pis of the town.