SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1919, Page 8

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

CONFERENCE AT STRATFORD. A conference attended by delegates from sports clubs, local bodies, Chambers of Commerce, and other organisations was held at Stratford on Thursday to consider the provincial Saturday half-holiday proposal. Those present were: Messrs. J. W. McMillan and Campbell Jackson (Stratford Borough Council), W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford Chamber of Commerce), IT. E. North and R. McK. Morison (Avon Bowling Club), I). J. Malone (Rugby Union), A- K. Smart (New Plymouth Bowling Club), T. Spurdle (Inglewood Chamber of Commerce), F. li. Jackson (Fitzroy Bowling Club), W. Lambie (Pihama Bowling Club), A. I>. McPherson (Stratford Bowling Club), J. W. Ilayden (New Plymouth Borough Uouncil Etnd Employers' Association!, F. J. Hill (West End Bowling Club), P. E. Stainton' (Taranaki Employer;;' Association), J. M. Hair (Moa Road Board), J. D. Sole (New Plymouth Ratepayers' Association, and Taranaki Bowling Centre), and Mr Moore (secretary). Mr. J. W. McMillan was appointed chairman. Mr. Sole briefly explained what had been done lip to the time of the conference and read a large number of replies from local bodies, clubs, etc., to a circular asking that they support the movement in favor of a universal Saturday half-holiday. Practically the whole of these replies were favorable, while none was hostile.

The chairman moved that the conference affirm the principle of a universal (Saturday half-holiday for Taranaki. The people, he said, appeared from the opinions expressed in the letters received to desire the change.. At tlie Municipal Conference, a motioif in favor of Saturday was carried with only one dissentient 'The change, would have to come, and they should not wait for Government action if thev could bring it about earlier by means within their own power.

Mr. Sole seconded. Viewed from both j a commercial and social point of view ! Saturday was the best day, and as one who had had a good deal of experience commeroially he could say that the present arrangement caused a good deal of lqss of time and inconvenience. From a social point of view there was no question as to which was the better day. Saturday had been adopted "by s the cities from Dunedin to Auckland, and that they were not reverting back to Thursday was> proof positive that it was a success. The war and the epidemic had shown them that cjosing on a Saturday did not mfean ruin, and they were quite as well able to do business on any other day- Saturday would 'be in the best interests of employers, especially large employers. Mr. Kirkwood said tihe Stratford Chamber of Commerce, after conferring with the. Tradesmen's Association had passed a resolution favoring Saturday. At present travellers were, greatly inconvenienced owing to the half-holiday being held on different days. Ilawera had Wednesday, and Stratford, Thursday. He had no doubt that Saturday would be better for both employers and employees. A delegate said that twelve month? ago the Taranaki Employers' Association turned down a proposal in favor of Saturday by a big majority, but last week the' same organisation almost unanimously adopted the same piroposal. Mr. Malone said that as the delegate from the Rugby Union he represented about. 600 players. In the past football matches had been played on different days, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. This was decidedly against the betterment of sport. The men had great difficulty sometimes in getting off for matches, and it was hard to get teams to compete. It was too much to ask an employer to allow a man oft' on Thursday and Wednesday, and with a general Saturday half-holi-day everybody would be put right. Mr. Morison said that as the representative of the Avon Bowling Club, with a membership of TO, he could say that this club was unanimously in favor of Saturday.

Mr. J?. Spurdle (Inglewood Chamber of Commerce), in supporting Saturday said they had as far as possible to consider tlie employees. His Chamber was unanimously in favor of Saturday. The Inglewood jJorough Council had taken 110 action as they regarded the matter as one for the Chamber of Commerce to deal with. Mr. Campbell Jackson (Stratford Borough Council), said his Council were also unanimous in supporting Saturday. He pointed out that if Saturday were generally adopted in Taranaki it would be possible for residents in inland towns to visit the seaside at New Plymouth at week-ends. Mr. H. E. North said that as a result of the adoption of Saturday 'in Wellington, sports clubs were overflowing with members and there were now fifteen bowling clubs in the city. Mr. Stainton (Taranaki Employers' Association), said that the few who opposed the movement now recognised that they were powerless to prevent the change. The chairman said two courses were open to them. They could ask tlie Borough Councils and other bodies to decjare Saturday the half-holiday, 01. they could ask for a poll. If a. poll were taken they would have to wait till April, 1921. It would be mhi to take the former course. There would be ne difficulty, he thought, in getting Borough Councils to carry out their wishes. It would be necessary to see that there was unanimity, and that all Borough Councils would fall into line. He moved that Borough Councils, County Councils, and Road Boards be asked to' appoint Saturday the half-holiday in their particular districts when fixing the day in February next.

Mr. Malone seconded, and suggested that a copy of the first resolution lie sent to the Minister for Labor; also that a committee be set up to see that all local bodies fall into line. The chairman's motion was carried, also that moved by Mr. Malone, with the addition suggested by Mr. Sole that copies of the resolution be sent, to tlie Minister and to the Taranaki members of Parliament.

Mr. P. Skoglund was appointed to send full information to the Minister when every local body has declared its position. It was pointed out that tnt* otily Borough Council which had not sent a reply was Elthain, but a reply had been received from the Elthain Golf Club which favored Saturday. The following committee were set i<p with power to add to their number: Messrs. Malone, Spurdle, McMillan, Sole, and Hayden.

The question of finance wan mentioned, nn<l Hie ehiiirmnii said he did not think there would be any difficulty \p getting clubs * and local bodies to qwitf'ikui? then - quota. He moved

that they bo asked for a donation towards the expenses.—Carried. The appointment of a secretary was loft to the committee. A vote of thanks was passed to the Mayor qf Stratford for presiding, and to the Stratford Borough Council for the use of the Council Chambers. It was stated that the idea of having a general Saturday half-holiday 'origin- | ated with ihe Mayor, who should be congratulated on his success.