THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1920, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

SATURDAY FOR NEW PLYMOUTH. ADOPTED BY BOBOtJGH COtWCIL. A LEAD TO THE PROVINCE. At last night's meeting of the New Plymouth Borough Council the question of the day on which the weekly halfholiday should be observed during the coming year came up for consideration. A petition was received from the following ratepayers and tradesmen opposing any alteration in the weekly half-holiday until legislation fixed a universal and compulsory day, or until there was agreement as to the day, be-i tween all towns in the Taranaki Province:—C. C. Ward, White «nd Sons, Morey and Son, Thos. Avery, Howell and Howell, W. T. Hookham, Hallenstein Bros., Ltd.; W. and A. Embury, Ltd., E. J. Deare, and Arnold and Co A postscript to the petition stated it was not in opposition to Saturday, but expressed a desire for unanimity in the province of Taranaki.

Cr. Hayden, in speaking to the motion in regard to the matter, of which he gave notice at last meeting, referred to the conference of local bodies and other associations held in Stratford some time ago when there wag almost unanimous agreement in favor of a. Saturday half-holiday throughout the whole of Taranaki. Eltham delegates offeied the only opposition to Sftturdsy as the day for the half-holiday. He felt qw'te sure that the local bodies of the province looked to New Plymouth to give the lead in this resipect. He did not thiink that what Eltham might decide upon would have any effect upon the day of the holiday in New Plymouth. Practically all the other towns wanted Saturday holiday. He therefore moved:—

"That this Council ask the Governor-General in Council to declare- Saturday the day on which the weekly half-'holiday should be observed, provided Inglewood and Waltara would do the same." Continuing, Cr. Hayden said the Taranaki Employers' Association had passed a resolution in favor of Saturday. It was being more and more realised that Saturday was sure to come. Those who had adopted Saturday had. not w gretted it, and would not go back front their position, He considered New Plymouth's experience would be the same as that of other towns. He farther pointed out that from its geographical position New Plymouth was essentially a holiday town, and the Saturday half-holiday would be a distinct advantage to it. The Mayor seconded the motion, and said that in spite of the petition by some of the leading firms, he was still of opinion that Saturday was the brat day. The same classes of tradesmen had opposed the change in other place*, but he did not think it had seriously affected business. In any case, if other towns did continue to close on othe# days, he did not think New Plymouth would be greatly affected; In reply to a question by Or. Callls, Cr, Hayden said there were abtmt 3Q members of the Employers' A»o«atlot» present when the resolution In favor of the Saturday holiday was, carried, and there was no dissent. Some of the petitioners were present at the meeting. Cr. Griffiths urged the adaption of Saturday without regard to what other' boroughs might do, and so give a pro* vineial lead in favor of Saturday, which* he believed other places were looking to New Plymouth to give, Cr. Hayden Baid he agreed with such a course, but he wanted to be quite fai? to those who had brought pressure to bear upon him during the day. 7 Cr. Sykes said that as the capital, town, New Plymouth shajild give a lead to the whole province, irrespective of what other towns might do. He thought if New Plymouth adopted Saturday it would soon become Universal over the province, and there would never be any regrets. f

Cr. Hill moved an amendment to the effect that Saturday be adopted, whe« ther Inglewood and Waiter# adopted ii or not. •' Cr. Griffiths seconded. When the vote was taken Cr. Collis war the only opponent of the amend* ment. On being put as the motion it was carried unanimously. OPERATION OP THE CHANGE. The decision of the Borough Council definitely fixes the change in New Ply« mouth from Thursday to Saturday ad the half-holiday. The procedure now. will be for the Council to notify the Minister for Labor of its decision and lie will then gazette a notice formal!} declaring the change. The Act provides that the alteration will coma into force after June Ist, and it Will apptjk to all trades and business evwpt those of bakers, confectioners, fishmonger*] fruiterers, and refreshment looms. '