HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1920, Page 6

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

DISCUSSED BY EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL. A DIFFERENCE OF- OPINION. There was considerable difference of opinion at the special meeting of the Egraont County Council, which was held yesterday for the purpose of fixing the statutory half-holiday within the County. Cr. Campbell said that there appeared to be a general feeling throughout the County in favor of a Saturday halfholiday.

Cr. O'Brien held that this would never do in the case of*Opunake, and that they might leave it to the Opunake Town Board to fix the date and fall in with their ideas.

Cr. Green stated that the country people were entitled to as much consideration as were the town people.

Mr. Rogers stated that the Town Board had decided io wait and see what adjoining local bodies intended to do. As far as the Town Board was concerned he thought the Saturday half-holiday would be favored.

Cr. O'Brien said that a Saturday halfholiday would not suit the country people at all. They looked forward to two days for business in Opunake, viz., Monday (sale days) and Saturday. Cr. Campbell said that Saturday should be the universal half-holiday. At present some towns had Thursday, and others had Wednesday, and a person did not know where he m Saturday was the most suitable day.

Cr. Green said he would not agree to Saturday if New Plymouth retained the present half-holiday. This would only drive people to the larger towns. Cr. O'Brien considered they should defer decision and fall into line with other, local bodies.

Cr. Sinclair said that he would favor Saturday, more especially from the point of view of the employees, who would gain greater benefit from a holiday at the end of the week rather than in the middle of the week.

Cr. Campbell then moved that the Council fix Saturday as the day for the half-holiday. Cr. Young seconded. Cr. O'Brien moved £hat Wednesday be the half-holiday. This was not, seconded.

Cr. Green moved that the half-holiday be Thursday, which was the day now observed in New Plymouth and Eltham. Saturday, he considered, would be detrimental to the small country townships. The chairman seconded the amendment pro foi'raa ,ar.d it was lost, Crs. Green, Coffin. Watson, and the chairman voting in its favor. Cr. Green then moved as a further amendment that before fixing on' the day, a poll of the ratepayers be taken, He objected to the members from the Pihama district, where there was' only one store in_ the whole place, dictating to the rest of the Council.

The chairman seconded. Cr. O'Brien moved as a further amendment, that the matter be postponed until the decision of the Opunake Town Board jj known. This was seconded by Cr. Coffin, and lost. Considerable discussion ensued. Cr. Gi;een stated that he was opposed to the Saturday half-holiday, and would strongly oppose action until he had had an opportunity of consulting the storekeepers interested in the northern end, whore Wednesday had been the halfholiday for years. If they favored Saturday half-holiday he would vote for it.

Cr Sinclair said they considered the ratepayers were as much interested aB the storekeepers. The chairman said that if Saturday half-holiday was carried, as it appeared likely to be by the Counfcil, that would drive the northern end of the district to join the Taranaki County. Cr. Green agreed that this was so. In fact they would petition right away. After further discussion the question was adjourned until after lunch, Cr. Green undertaking to get the feeling of the storekeepers at Rahotu, Warea and Punibo.

After lunch » telegram was received from Hughsons, Ltd., strongly objecting to the Saturday half-holiday', and after further discussion the mover and seconder of the motion for a,Saturday halfholiday withdrew the motion, the understanding being that the Council would leave the day to be fixed by the Minister of Labor.