THE WEEKLY HALE-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1920, Page 4

THE WEEKLY HALE-HOLIDAY.

Some difficulty is invariably experienced when changing a custom, and the movement in favor of the general observance of the weekly half-holiday on Saturday was bound to raise a difference of opinion, for old customs a;,, hard. Under the circumstances, the reception of the proposal so far has been gratifying, and though the whole of the local authorities in Taranaki have not yet finally decided on fixing Saturday for the holiday, the prospects of unanimity are fairly good. In those eases where the decision has been left in the hands of the Government, it 'is probable that the action of the principal local bodies in the province will be followed. New Plymouth and Stratford Borough Councils have declared in favor of Saturday, as have the County Councils of Hawera and Patea, while Hawera Borough, though favoring the proposal, made its acquiescence dependent on Eltham also agreeing to Saturday. Doubtless Eltham had good reasons for deciding against the Saturday half-holiday, but now that it is known that the other large towns in Taranaki favor Saturday, it would be graceful and politic on Eltham's part to fall into line, while there is little doubt that Hawera will eventually give an unconditional assent. The advantages of the whole province observing the same weekly half-holiday are so obvious that they need not be stressed, nor need the disadvantage of having the holiday on different days be demonstrated. The matter is one upon which unanimity is most desirable, and it is manifest that a week-end holiday must be far more beneficial than an awkward break in the middle of the week. It is quite probable there are some who see difficulties and inconvenience in the way of making a change, but the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number should prevail. At first the change may cause some slight readjustment of habits, but in a very short while the new order of things will find its level and the full benefits be thoroughly appreciated. Certainly trade would not suffer, and the knowledge that the community was acting in unity should stimulate the growth of the reciprocity which is for the general good. This concerted action is certainly preferable to legislation, though it is likely that in the near future the Saturday half-holiday may be statutory. The project has come to stay, and the more the matter is studied the more it appeals to the good sense of the people.