THE SATURDAY HOLIDAY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8805, 6 May 1907, Page 2

THE SATURDAY HOLIDAY.

Mr J. Steveus, M.H.R., has courteously handed us a copy of the following telegram which he has addressed to the Minister of Labour: — “Martou Borough Council desires mo to bring under your notice the following resolution, “That this Council, on behalf of the occupiers of registered factories in tho Borough of Marton, protests against the ‘withdrawal of tho permission to close factories on the usual shop half-holiday. Such a course is highly inconvenient to both employer and employee and that copies of this resolution be sent to Minister for Labour, the member for the district and Chief Inspector of Factories. ” While recognising tho greatij importance of uou-interfercnco by a Minister with provisions of statute, I still believe that whereas in this case an obvious oversight lias been committed by Parliament in the passing of Clause 33 of the present Act, if Departmental inaction has existed for six years, its prolongation for about another two mouths would not inflict any hardship but would on tho other hand prevent a great deal of unnecessary friction between employer and employee. As I understand it is your intention to introduce an amendment which will be more in keeping with common senso than tho present unworkable law, especially in the country districts, I would suggest for obvious reasons that the enforcement of the Act, if to ho made forthwith, apply only to towns of 5000 inhabitants and over. This would, I am sure, give general satisfaction until you can reconsider the whole question and submit a reasonable Bill to Parliament. Signed, JOHN STEVENS.

Press Association, Ek.vtaiiuna, May 6. *■ As a result of the notice under the Factories Act several business places closed for the half day on Saturday. A petition is being circulated for all premises to observe Saturday in place of Thursday.