THE HALF-HOLIDAY TROUBLE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 137, 1 June 1908, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY TROUBLE

EMPLOYERS FINED.

On Saturday morning, at the Magis Irate',; Court.'before Mr. 11. S. Fit/.hcrhert, S.M.. the dual half-holiday trouble was ventilated. Messrs. (i. A. Nisbet and Co. and W. Jenkinson and Co., coachhuilders, were charged with employing youths under eighteen on Saturday afternoons, and pleaded "gxiilty under extenuating circumstances." The "extenuating circumstances" were that for the, past nine years many factory-owners in New Plymouth had been giving their employees

a half-holiday on Thursday instead ot Saturday. The majority of the employees desired to have Thursday afternoon instead of Saturday afternoon many of them because they wanted ti: either play or watch football on that day. Defendants pointed out thatSatuv day was Hie busiest day of the week n their trade. Mr. Jenkinson remnrkei that in his ease the employee all'cctci worked as a "striker.'' If the strike! had a half-holiday on Saturday tin smith might as well have a hall'-holidil.' as well, and then the whole shop wouh have to close. Defendants urged tha while the letter of the law had heel broken, the spirit, had not.

Mr. Willis pointed out that the Act provided that the half-holiday could be changed if one-tenth of the ratepayer? in the borough petitioned for the change and a poll of ratepayers favored the proposal. ThL, had not been, done in New Plymouth, and the law must b» adhered' to.

Each of the firms mentioned was coi

vi.led and fined Ids and costs 7s. In a case against .1. Hooker and Co., printers, no appearance was made by the defendants, who were charged -with having failed to give four girls a halfholidav on a certain Saturday. In liis evidence Mr. Willis stated that when he visited the premises Mr. J. Hooker made an excuse similar to that given in the cases already dealt with. A fine of l"s and costs 7s was inflicted.