CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 42, 18 February 1879, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the "Evening Majl." Sib— lt is said that if you tread upon a worm it will turn, &c, and I find that a class of persons more forbearing and long suffering than the worm has at last began to struggle beneath the iron foot " custom " (not necessity) which oppresses them. I refer to the letter of "A Draper" in your last night's paper, and I would like to add a little to what he has said. There are others even worse off than drapers' assistants, viz., storekeepers' assistants, who have to be at their post of duty from 8 a.m. until Bor 9 p.m. I should like to know if any employer can give one good reason for keeping open after 6 p.m., although many might be given for closing at that hour. In the first place there would be the saving of the master's time, for he would reap the 9ame benefit as his assistants; his gas bill would not be so heavy, his assistants would be more lively and sprightly, and less liable to mistakes from over-exertion. Why could not a housekeeper get his or her stores from the retailer before 6 p.m., as well as the storekeeper can buy his goods before 5 pm. from the wholesale bouse? The business done at the counter after six o'clock is very small, and does not pay for time and gas." If the hour of closing was known to be six o'clock, all business would be done before that hour. I caopo* say much for faalf-holidayß in all

trades and businesses. Where it can be done so much the better. There are limes when " shipping " and " clearing " goods must be done on Wednesday afternoons as on any other day, but all the days might be curtailed for business two or three hours. I am, &c , .... A Gloworm. Kelson, Feb. 18, l§7i).