THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1921, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

THE POSITION IN TARANAKI. THURSDAY FOR ELTHAM COUNTY. The Eltham County Council, ,at the statutory meeting held on Saturday to fix the day for the weekly half-holiday, decided in favor of Thursday, after a sliprt discussion. "Whether you want it or not it is going to be Saturday before many years,” said the chairman (Cr. C. J. Belcher) at the opening of the discussion. He expressed the opinion, however, that the Government stynild take up the question, and make the half-holi-day universal. The result of leaving the onus on local bodies was that different days were chosen in various districts, and the whole thing was a farce. When the half-holiday was first introduced its purpose was to give a break in the middle of the week, but now conditions seemed to be different. A resolution fixing Thursday as the day for the half-holiday, was moved by Cr. Gifford, and seconded by Cr. McGuinness. An amendment was moved by Cr. Carter in favor of Saturday, but was not seconded, the mover said he was exactly of the same opinion as the chairman. Cr. McWilliam said Saturday would not suit the country people, and Cr. Messana, expressed a similar view. The resolution in favor of Thursday was then put and carried. STRATFORD DECISION TO-NIGHT SATURDAY MAY BE FIXED. Our Stratford correspondent writes:—‘ The petition asking the Borough Council to decide in faVor of Saturday as tho weekly half-holiday, was in circulation on Saturday, and is reported to have met with a favorable reception. The Retailers’ Assqciation are also interesting themselves in the question, and intend holding ft meeting before the council meeting on Monday, to decide what further action they should take. The association favors Saturday, only if that day is made universal throughout the province, and threatens to defy the law if the council adopts Saturday before it becomes the universal half-holidays. POSITION IN HAWERA. RETAILERS RETAIN WEDNESDAY. At a special meeting of the executive of the Hawera Retailers’ Association on Friday night a letter was received from the Chamber of Commerce, New Plymouth, dealing with the question of Saturday half-holiday. The New Plymouth Chamber was evidently in favour of the Saturday half-holiday, but their views did not correspond with those of the executive on this matter. It was moved that a letter be sent to the New Ply« mouth Chamber of Commerce stating that the Hawera Retailers’ Associa* tion was pledged to retain the Wednesday afternoon half-holiday, and that the Hawera Retailers’ Association would take strong measures to oppose any al teration.—Star.