THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 1562, 9 April 1872, Page 3

THE HALF-HOLIDAY MOVEMENT.

A meeting to consider the question ot a weekly half-holiday was held last night in the Council Chamber. There was a numerous attendance of all classes. At a quarter past eight the Mayor opened the proceedings by reading the requisition, which he stated had been signed by all the leading firms of employers in the town. Apologies were read from Mr Calder and Mr T. M. Macdonald for not being able ito attend. 31r Wood was called to the chair, and after a few remarks from the chairman, Mr Perkins moved the first resolution, as follows — That this meeting affirms the desirability of shortening the hours of labor in connection with the retail trades of Invercargill by the adoption of the half holiday system. He had no idea until a few minutes ago that he was to take any part in the business of the meeting. There were many present who were directly interested in the subject, both employers and employed, and he was inclined to leave the speaking to them. He considered that the present, hours of labor, especially in the retail trades, might be shortened with advantage to all, and even with the effect of materially lessening the expenses of business. Personally, the success of the movement would be a boon to him — a half-holiday was a pleasure he very seldom enjoyed, and he saw very little chance of obtaining it except on the I principle announced by Judge Chapman in his speech at Dunedin, that every one ought to decline doing business with those who did not agree to the halfholiday. The thing would soon be done then, and effectually. (Applause.) Mr Collett, whose ideas, from some cause not explained, seemed to be in- a state of confusion, here caused some amusement by his persistent attempts to address the chair. Order being restored, Mr Macrorie seconded the resolution at some length. The difficulty that he saw was to agree on a day that would ■uit all parties. Tor his own part, though Saturday would be a very inconvenient day to him, he would agree to that or — any other rather than that the movement should fall through. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Perking stated that as the promoters of the meeting did not seem to hare arranged any programme of pro-

ceedings, he would read the next j resolution, viz. : — That, considering the advantages to be derived thereby, this meeting earnestly requests employers of labor to support the movement by closing their respective places of business at 1 o clock on Saturdays, and pledges itself to refrain from shopping after that hour. This he believed would be the point on which the discussion would hinge. He feared there might be great objections to Saturday, but like Mr Macrorie he would agree to any day rather than none at ail. °Mr Stobo seconded • the resolution, supporting the Saturday half holiday not only on the grounds of physical and intellectual advantage, but as conducive to the highest interests of mankind in affording the means of fitly enjoying and discharging the duties of the day of rest. He thought men of all shades of opinion would agree in this. An animated discussion followed, which our time and space prevent us from reproducing. Mr Kingsland, as an amendment, proposed Wednesday afternoon. This was seconded by Mr Collett amidst great interruption, Mr Lumsden,,. Mr Lockhart, the Kev. Mr Eishworth, Mr Hall,' of Ekensteen and Hall, and Mr Tapper successively addressed the meeting. There were four votes for the ! amendment, and the original motion (Saturday afternoon) was carried apparently by the votes of the whole number present, amid great applause. Mr Tapper moved, and Mr Perkins seconded, the third resolution — That with a view to remove all obstacles to the carrying out of this object, employers of labor are respectfully requested to pay their servants not later in the week than Thursday. which was also carried. | The fourth resolution, to the following effect — That a committee be appointed to obtain the signatures of the various storekeepers to a document pledging themselves to support the movement in the manner indicated from and after Ist May next, a list of the same to be published in the local newspapers ; committee to consist of Messrs Smith, Yule, Erskine, and Tapper, was moved by Mr Erskine, and seconded by Mr Perkins. At Mr Tapper's request his name was erased from the list of the committee, on the ground of his time being already a good deal occupied with work of a public kind. Mr Perkins, Mr Kingsland, and Mr Hall, having successively declined, Mr William Sloan agreed to join the committee. The resolution, with the amended list of names, was then put and carried unanimously, and the proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.