THE WEEKLY HALFHOLIDAY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 8, 29 January 1915, Page 2

THE WEEKLY HALFHOLIDAY.

Rival Factions.

The annual event of In:- Fukekohe Borough Council in the nature of a special meeting for the selection of the day on which (ha weekly half-holiday should be observed in Pukekohe re-occurred on Wednesday eveniup.

ADVOCATE: FOR SATURDAY. Business advocates for the retention of Saturday for the holiday sent a petition as follows: -

"We, the undersigned shopkeepers and business people la Pukekorp, respectfully request you 11 again fix on Saturday as the diy f.r the weekly half-

holiday in thM Borough." Signed by Wm. Koulston, W. T. Janes, H. W. King, E. Ramsay, K. Miller, J. R. Mcßae, Frank Perkins and Co., H. Dell and Son, J. Adams and Sans, Wm. Tuwßo;i, J. A. Comrie. M. E. McGnvern, W. and G. Blake, U. A. Penny, F. E. Simpson, S. Smith, Franklin Piinting and Publishing C)., Ltd., D. A. Blake, E. Tillett, H. Bridge, W. H. Guest, J. G. Hsddow, Coopar and Curd, W. G. Stntbolt, J. J. Coady, Chaa. Clarke, Fred Marshall, H. G. R. Mason, Edmund Mahonay and Son. Koulston Bros., P. Boyd, Fred Souster, Endean and Holloway, R. Bradbury, and fhcrn, Campbell and

Thorn. The following petition, bearing 78 signatures, was also read:— "We, the undersigned em-

ployees of the various «hops and business establishments of thii town, earnestly pray the Council's careful consideration to favour the petition before

yon in favour of the Saturday weekly half holiday, as from an employee's point of view a

Saturday half-holiday is tar more preferable in many ways as jt gives a complete weekend vacation, whereas if it were in the middle of tha week it would honestly be no advantage to us in any way. W« pray that this appeal may receive from jour hands th? consideration it merits." > THURSDAY HOLIDAY WANTED.

Supporters of a mid-week holiday expressed their views as follows : " We, the undersigned bona tide shop-keepers of Fukekohe desire and hereby request that the weekly half-holiday to be observed for the ensuing year shall be Thursday afternoou in

place of Saturday as heretofore." Signed: W. Wright, F. H. Kenyon, W. Wardalworth, T. E Skianer, S. W. Mills, C. Eoadley, F. Marshall, E. M. Wilde, G. H. Armstrong, W. Wilde, T. J. Nelson, H. J. Rollinson, A. 0. Woollett, A. McOlintock, W. R. Grace, W. Thomas, A. H. Light, Mrs Dix, H. W. King, T. Askew, W. S. Russell, Mrs Wright, J. T. Stembridge and Co,, W. Simpson, and J. H. Bartrom.

Messrs F. Marshall, A. H. Light (Auckland Piano Coy.) and A. B. and J. H. Bartrom notified the Council by letters that they desired their names withdrawn from the foregoing petition, the two former stating that on reconsideration they favoured Saturlay closing, whilst Messrs Bartrom indicated that they preferred not to take sides in the matter IH« DISCUSSION. The Town Clerk remarked that certain names appeared on the rival petitions that should not be there, as the offices were not affected by the Shop Bours Act and certain tiades were exempt. The legitima'e signatures totalled 24 for the Saturday holiday and 22 for Thursday Ci Bilkey proposed t'-at Saturday should be the day of the halfholiday. Saturday was the only day that suited the workers and they, in his opinion, deserved even more consideration than the employers. Cr Pollock seconded. The Mayor stated that he very strongly supported the resolution. For instance, as regards sport it was the orly day that with Auckland having a Saturday holiday city clubs could .come Into the country. The matter laid in the hands of the Council as the representatives of the people and it was accordingly not necessary fur the Council to take notice of the petitions. Cr Burley remarked that the arguments eet forth in the petitions were the came as last year. The petitions were, however, all wrong as names were on them that were not concerned in compulsory closing. He wished to know if the petitions were to be taken into account, aa be considered that the wishes of the peoole should be studied. The Mayor: It is for the Council to say whether they will take notice of the pttitions.

Cr Hurley: If such is rot done I refuse to vote.

Tbe Mayor thought it was very unfair that itouncils should be saddled with tbe responsibility of fixing the holiday as tome offence locally was always given. His opinion was that the day of halfholiday should be fixed for tbe whole of tbe country by tbe Government.

Several traders being in attendance at the meeting the Mayor asked if any of them present desired to speak on the subject.

Mr A. 0. Woollett then rtated that bis idea was that shops should be kept open on Saturday eo that business could be transacted. Saturday for shopping purposes was in the interests of the towo and busineia men.

Mr F. Perkins urged that the Saturday holiday should be retained. The business people of Pukekohe did not want tbe whole business of the week driven into Saturday as would be done if Saturday opening was decided on. He further considered that tbe Act was framed for tbe benefit of the employees and not for employers. Many of tbe employees had property in tbe town and he was of opinion that they should be studied quite as much as those who had signed the petition for a Thursday holiday. Then again many of the same people were exempt from the Act sod kept open when they liked. If the Saturday holiday was abolished sport in the town would be killed. People io Pukekohe had been educated to have Saturday as tbe holiday and such should not be departed from.

The motion in favour of Saturday as the day of holiday was then curried nem con, Cr Hurley not voting.