THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 5

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

THE FARMERS’ POINT OF VIEW. NO DECISION REACHED. At the meeting of' the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, held in Hawera on Thursday, Mr. Betts introduced the half-holiday question and the effect which the adoption of Saturday would have upon the farming community. The president (Mr. Dunn) said that there had been a good deal of discussion on the matter, and he did not know exactly what the position was. It seemed that their neighboring towns were all jealous of each other. He would like to see the same day adopted in all towns, as the different days for the half-holiday made it most inconvenient when travelling. As matters stood it was very difficult to regulate one’s movements/ Farmers had always been against Saturday, because it was the only off-day which the children had from school, and there was no other opportunity, apart from public holidays, for bringing the children into town. From that point of view Saturday was unsuitable. The half-holiday, he understood, had been introduced so that people engaged in shops and offices would benefit from a break in the middle of the week. He thought it would be inadvisable to close on Saturday afternoon. He had no young children himself, but he could appreciate the other fellow’s point of view.

Mr. Owens pointed out that with those whose homes were away from their place of occupation the whole of the halfhoiiday, if given in the middle of the week, might be absorbed in travelling to and from their homes. Personally he liked the idea of Saturday. So many interests were involved that it was difficult to please all. Mr. Dunn: Don’t you think that the Saturday proposal is the thin end of the wedge for the whole day. (.Laughter.) 'Mr. Betts: If Saturday is adopted the man in the country will have to trade through the post. Another member pointed out that Saturday was the only day country people could take their children to the town for dental attention, which was an important matter.

Mr, Buckeridge urged that in a democratic country class distinctions should be avoided, and they were only helping to create class distinctions when some closed on a Saturday and others on a Wednesday. Mr. Betts thought the closing on different half-days was an advantage, because there were not sufficient sports grounds for all to use them at once. Mr. Buckeridge pointed out that a fanner coming to Hawera now, to do business on Saturday found banks and solicitors’ offices closed. Mr Dunn said he had an idea that sport was at the bottom of the Saturday movement. • Mr. Betts moved: “That the Saturday half-holiday is adverse to the interests of country settlers.”

Mr. Owen: This is a very important matter, and should not be voted upon ligitly. He did not, h? stated, know what the fe.jbng of the Eltham farmers

was. It was finally decided to refer the matter to the branches.—Star.