HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 2

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l see that your paper is well used on behalf of the Saturday halfholiday. Now, sir, we have just got over Easter holidays, and 1 ask what sort of a holiday would it have been if the Government had given a vacation to all the railway men? The people would have had no holiday at all, but the Government knew better for it realised that the revenue would be increased. Now, sir, the Saturday business in this town is on a par with the holidays. The country people cannot get to town for business except on Saturduv, when there is no school tor their children to attend, and if the people of this go-ahead town vote tor Saturday the others have their remedy —they are in a position to open stores in connection with their factories. But I must not forget that in yours of the 4th April, Mr Saturday is going to approach the Railway Department with a view to putting a lute train on on Friday nights. I have been wondering what hour he would have this train to run to suit the milking sheds, but perhaps if all were not ready for the first lie might get them to put on a second one. Now, sir, I think that if this gentleman put in twelve months in a milking shed he would come out a wiser man ; if he would get a train or two on the Foxtoii line, what about the ltnngitikei line, Fitzherbert and Bunnythorpe ? Last Saturday afternoon in Broadway alone there were over forty cars parked, and in the Square between the line and Rangitikei street there were over twenty. 1 went round on Friday us it was the last business day of the week and there was not one-third of the number parked on that afternoon. Fellow ratepayers, our town is going ahead, keep it going and do not close the town against The country on Saturday.—l am, etc., WM. ANDERSON.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Pleaso allow me, through your much-read columns, to voice an opinion on the above question, which I think was fairly and. squarely contested only a short tiino ago by all those interested in the welfare of this town. Is it not a fact that tile majority of townships which have resorted to the Saturday half-holiday are provided with numerous attractions for the week-end, such a* yachting, rowing, fish ing, surf-bathing, etc.'/ Would this not. be the means of influencing a lot of citizens to shop early,for the purpose of recreation in these cities ? Palmerston North, however, is differently situated. It is the centre of a fast growing, thriving community, and owing to its inland surroundings ihe majority of the people will always look forward" to Saturday in town with intention of combining business with pleasure for the week-ends. I do not think shopassistants have much to complain of in the shape of liard work or sweating for their crust. It is reasonable to think the Wednesday half-holiday a much better idea for their general health. It gives them a “breather -1 of fresh air in-between-times, instead of keeping them shackled to eighthour in-door duties for live and a-half continuous days of the week. If it is true, that 90 per cent, of the local retailers are in favour of Wednesday closing, then there must be very sound reason for them being so. Surely this collection of “brain anatomy” would willingly follow the example of other cities if they wore not cmtain of financial loss from the proposed change. Did not one of our largest firms try a little experimenting on (he Saturday half-holiday scheme and eventually go hack to Wednesday-closing '( If so, why? Personally. I think the arerage shop-assistant, is fully alive to the business-side of the

question, also that lie is conscientious and willing enough to consider his employer accordingly. It just makes one think, from a local point of view, that the outcry for the present change is mainly due to the efforts of a few extremists. It is not at all unlikely, for they exist both in “indoor” and in “outside life.” Their ideas mostly originate from selfish motives. They possess little thought for the man who is providing them means of existence; little thought for their fellow-workers, and less for their township and true progress. —I am, etc., “WORKER.” Palmerston North, 28th April, 1925. (To the Editor.) Sir,—ln reply to Mr (I. 11. Bennett's letter of the 27th ins*.., \vi>h regard to the Saturday closing interfering with the farmers, lie is absolutely misled, as we of the farming community shop whenever we have business to do. mid those that interest us most, such as hanks, lawyers, gTain and implement merchants, etc., dose on Saturday. As for the argument of shopping for our children, they have plenty of school holidays in which we have ample time to do’ their shopping. So I voice the opinion of most of the formers, vote for Saturday closing.—l am, etc.. FARMER. Kauwhata, Palmerston North, 28 April, i 925.