THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 1 May 1907, Page 2

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Per Press Association. On mau, April 30. At a meeting of the Employers Association to-night, it was decided to em» phatieally protest against the action of the Labor Department in withdrawing the permission to close factories on the same day as the local half-holiday for shops, and substituting Saturday instead. The resolution is to be forwarded to the Minister for Labor.

Tinmru, April 30. Considerable uneasiness lias been caused here l>y the distribution of a circular from the Labor Department demanding compliance with the Factories' Act, 11)01, regarding women and boys under 18, employed ill factories, to be given a weekly half'-holiday on Saturday. Hitherto they have been given Thursday, the same afternoon as the shops. Drapers who employ tailorcßses and dressmakers and milliners and their country customers will be greatly inconvenienced, as Saturd&y is recognised as market day by the country people. The subject was brought up at the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce this evening, and a resolution passed requesting the Minister of Labor to allow the Act to remain suspended as heretofore till Parliament meets, oud a deputation was appointed to wait on Hon. W. Ilall-.lones on his visit this week.