SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 123, 28 April 1925, Page 5

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

(Published by Arrangement.)

CHRISTCHURCH HAS IT. The secretary of Canterbury Chamber of Commerce and Progress League says:—“l have interviewed the principal retail traders of Christchurch, and they are unanimously of the opinion that the Saturday half-holiday, with tho late shopping night on Friday, is tho most suitable, and they would very strongly resist any alteration. The N.Z. Farmers’ Co-op., which has a large general retail connection and does a great deal of business with country clients, advised mo they find their country clients now do the most of their business on the Wednesday, which has become the regular market day, and no dissatisfaction has been expressed. The proprietor of one leading grocery firm, whom I interviewed, stated ho had taken a very prominent part in the opposition to tho universal Saturday half-holiday some few years ago, and a good deal of money had been spent in resisting tho movement, one of the principal objections being that a loss of trade would ensuo. He stated that since there had been several years of trial of the Saturday halfholiday, he would just as strenuously oppose an alteration. lie further stated that no loss of business had resulted from tho change, and it was the opinion of all in tho trade that Saturday was the most suitable day for themselves and their employees. Mr Wyles, manager of Strango and Co., informed me that the matter of the wookly half-holiday was discussed at the Drapers’ Conference, which was held in Palmerston Worth recently, and it was decided that Saturday was the most suitable day. I took the opportunity of interviewing also the secretary of tho Employers’ Association, who comes in contact with representatives of all tho wholesale and retail traders of the city, thinking that if there was any dissatisfaction with the present arrangement, he would be sure to have heard of it. Ho informed me that tho only remarks lie had heard oil the matter were expressions of appreciation of the existing state of affairs. From the information which I have received it is quite evident the Saturday half-holiday has proved an unqualified success in Christchurch.” Raise Palmerston status by voting for an unbroken business week.