EARLY CLOSING.

Southland Times, Issue 1282, 22 July 1870, Page 3

EARLY CLOSING.

Sib, — I had some hopes, after reading ing " Amicus's" letter in your paper ot the 9tb April last, that the drapers- and clothiers of Invercargill would take the hint and close their respective places of business, till the Ist of October next, at 6 o'clock, except on Saturdays, when they might be kept open till 7 p.m., to square up after the extra business that might be expected on that day. I am very much astonished at the employers themselves for keening open till such late hours, as, from many years' experience as a tradesman, I am perfectly certain that the profits after dark will not Sy for the lights; and such as have; nifies would be far better employed at home, improving their own minds and: those of their children, than Standing behind the counter waiting for a stray customer that, after all, might turn / out to be only a shopper. "JAmicus" Beys:— "The ladies snquldj come to the rescue," Ac. Now, Mr< Editor, I have very great doubts if any person styling herself a lady would be so' foolish as to trudge through the dirty streets of Invercargill after six o'clock at night, for the sake of a little shon-; ping at this season of the year, when it Tains almost every night, more par. Ocularly as the display of finery and novelties ifi the shop windows cannot be seen to advantage witVartificial light. In Melbourne and other large towns in Australia, all the first-class drapers' shops are closed all the year round at six o'clock p.m. ; the only shops open after that hoar are those who deal exclusively with the " demi monde." As the latter class of customers does not muster strongly here, I cannot see any; reason why the drapers' assistants should be the -victims of such long hours. .^ I see by the papers that a few of thfij; employees appear to take a great deal of interest in the ** Young Men's Improvement Society," "Sunday Schools," &&. How in the name of common sense can a young man or a lad ever think of studying after, 10 o clock, on a Saturday night ? The' chances axe, and have 'been; : that he will rush to stimulants to recruit his worn-out body, and unfit him for due preparation for the following Sabbath. Otago prides herself on being the mother of the eight-hour system for labor in the colonies, and rightly too. If sturdy strong men are released from their daily toil at five o'clock, why should ttieir less fortunate fellow-beings labor till 9 or 10 at night ? But I am afraid I have already trespassed too much on your space, although the subject is iaexhaustible.-f-Yours, &c., A CaßisTiAir. ;'