THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1921, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

(STRATFORD FIXES SATURDAY. CHAIRMAN’S CASTING VOTE. CHANGE NEXT MONTH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Night. After a protracted discussion the Stratford Borough Council, at a special meeting held to-night, decided, on the casting vote of the Mayor, to fix Saturday as the statutory half-holiday within the borough for the ensuing year. The question ha.s aroused intense interest in Stratford, and for the past week has been freely discussed. A deputation from the Retailers’ and Drapers’ Associations waited on the council to-night and expressed their opposition to Saturday unless it was made universal in Taranaki. On the other hand, a petition signed by 275 shop and office employees was received asking tho council to fix on Saturday. After the deputations had withdrawn ffihe Mayor (Mr. J. W. MdMillan) moved, and Cr. Walsh seconded, a resolution fixing Saturday, and the division was as follows: For Saturday: The Mayor and Crs. Walsh, Cameron, Jackson and Newton. Against: Crs. Young, Hunter, Lawson, Stewart and Thompson. The Mayor, in giving his casting vote for Saturday explained that he did so because he believed that in fixing Saturday they would be acting in the best interests of the town generally, and he felt certain that a poll of the burgesses would be held in April to consider the position, and if it was found that, the •Saturday half-holiday was detrimental to the best interests of the town the people could decide to revert to Thursday. In reply to a question, the Mayor stated that the Saturday half-holiday would operate early in February. Cr. Young gave notice of motion that the resolution be rescinded. NO ACTION AT WAITARA. MATTER LEFT TO THE PEOPLE. The question of fixing the day of the Weekly half-holiday was before the last meeting of the Waitara Borough Council, when councillors decided not to take any action. It is evident that a poll of the ratepayers will be held (says our Waitara correspondent.) POSITION IN HAWERA. RECENT REPORT QUESTIONED. “Tradesman” writes: “In regard to your report of the decision of the executive of the Hawera Retailers’ Association to support the Wednesday halfholiday, I wish to state that at a meeting held last year in Hawera practically a unanimous vote was carried in favor of Saturday, but as Eltham was not in accord with the proposal, nothing was done, but this year there seems to be /some prospect of coming to an agreement, and although the Hawera executive have come to a decision, neither the members nor public have been consulted. In conclusion I might state that a meeting of employers and employees has been called for Thursday night, and I would ask New Plymouth Saturday half-holiday supporters to withhold their judgment of Hawera until after this meeting.” Several letters expressing a similar view appeared in the Hawera Star last night.