THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1921, Page 4

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

DRAPERS FAVOR SATURDAY. POLLS IN ALL TOWNS URGED. s I (From Our Own Correspondent.) ■ Stratford, Last Night. A representative meeting of the provincial executive of the Taranaki Drapers’ Association was held in Stratford this afternoon, when the question of the Saturday half-holiday was fully cussedThe opinion was expressed that Saturday was the most suitable day for the weekly half-holiday, provided it was made universal, and it was resolved that*in the opinion of the drapers the question should be decided by means of a poll held in avery borough and town district in the province on the day oi the municipal elections in April; and further that the drapers would wholeheartedly support Saturday closing if this action was taken.

The feeling of the meeting was that* the Stratford Borough Council, in fieciding on Saturday closing before the other towns in Taranaki, had taken an unwise course, as the council was thereby placing the retailers of Stratford at a disadvantage. The drapers were not opposed to Saturday closing, but considered that no one town should be handicapped through having to take the lead in' the matter.

Delegates from all parts of Taranaki were present at the meeting, and the resolution was carried unanimously, those present expressing their willingness to take steps to see that a poll was. held in their respective towns. The delegates will now communicate with the other retailers and enlist their support in the matter.

The decision of the Drapers’ Association to-day should bring the universal Saturday half-holiday in Taranaki a long way nearer. The holding of a poll in each town on the same day, with the retailers giving their support to the Saturday movement, will make the change almost a certainty throughout the province. It was suggested s at the meeting that as this action will now most certainly be taken,'those local bodies which have the power of fixing the day, would be acting in the best interests of the business people and the public generally if they left the matter in abeyance until the polls were held.

As far as Stratford borough is concerned, the matter will not be finally disposed of until the notice of. motion by Cr. Young, that the resolution fixing Saturday be rescinded, is dealt with, and it is the intention of the retailers to petition the council asking that Thursday be retained until the poll 61 the burg’esses is held in April.

SATURDAY IN OPUNAKE.< CHANGE NEXT MARCH The progressive action of the Town Board in fixing Saturday for the weekly half holiday should give a lead to other towns in Taranaki (says the Opunake Times). There is no doubt the day will be universally adopted in the near future. The change will take place in Opunake on March 1, and will stand for one year. At the last meeting of the Egmont County Council Saturday was fixed as the half-holiday.