SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1920, Page 4

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

LEAD GIVEN BY TARANAKI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE At last night's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, the question of making Saturday the half-holiday was dis-i cussed. Mr A. B. Gibson moved: "That this Chamber approves of Saturday as the half-holiday, and agrees to employ every means within its power to promote the Saturday half-holiday; also that it communicates with the other Chambers of Commerce and Tradesmen's Associations in the province with a view to making Saturday the half-holiday for Taranaki, as well as for the whole Dominion." Mr. J. Paton seconded. The chairman said that the Chamber in June last had approached the local Tradesmen's Association on the matter, and that a reply had been received that the Association was agreeable to Saturday being made the half-holiday by statute. Mr. P. E. Stainton said opinion on this question amongst members of the Association was somewhat divided. Amongst a few was a fear that business in the town would suffer unless Taranaki was united in the matter. Personally be believed in the Saturday halfholiday, and said the movejnont for that day was gaining ground in Taranaki Mr. 0. Eraser said that the varying half-holidays in Taranaki were a source of great perplexity and trouble to the commercial man. Saturday was undoubtedly the most suitable day, and it was "up to" the Taranaki Chamber to give a lead in this important matter. Mr. W. J. Penn thought that steps should be taken to have the necessary petition to the council for the holding of a poll drawn up and signatures ob : tained.

The chnivman pointed put that the Council n the Chamber would see that this was done if the motion were carried. Ho would like to see Taranaki united over this matter, and probably a conference of the various Chambers and Tradesmen's Associations eould be arranged for early in the New Year. He supported the Saturday half-holiday. After further discussion, the motion was unanimously passed.