SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8494, 25 July 1907, Page 5

SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.) Si r> —it seems extraordinary that so much apathy is being shown in the above movement. It has been absurdly contended that the seven members of the Chamber of Commerce who supported Mr Dolan's motion at the meeting, last Friday, did not represent tlie business interests of the town, but that the two dissentients did. Since when have the W.F.C.A. and J. Graham and Co. been appointed to the "to do or not to do" position for the rest of the business interests here. I am certain, if a referendum were taken, that they would be very much in the minority, as already eighty per cent, of the working class here have Saturday, and why, in all common reason, should the other twenty per cent, be kept employed on that day. The W.F.C.A. have very little to complain of as with all the bogeys they attempt to raise none will stand for long, more particularly that one about diverting custom elsewhere, as are they not already in every township surrounding this electorate, so if they only close in Masterton on _a Saturday they have their other branches to get the trade which will take the trouble to travel. The W.F.C.A. representative also put forth that Saturday was Masterton's market day, another bogey, as Wednesday is that day, and quite threequarters of the country people who ever visit the town come in on that day, -and why, in all conscience, should they have two innings, one more than any other class in the community? I have seen the Saturday half-holiday in vogue, and that in a city and coluiiy where there was not a compulsory holiday at all. The business heads were also considerate enough to close their premises at half-past five in the winter months. Would the W.F.C.A. and J. Graham ■snd Co. do thfct voluntarily. I don't ifchink so. The business places mentioned above, 1 anight further point out, never keep open for a late night as is done here, art-;! which to my mind is quite unnecessary, as the labouring classes finish work at five o'clock and so have an hour at their disposal for shopping should they desire it. Do not the W.F.C.A. sni Graham and Co. send out waggons of goods each week for their country customers? If they do that, where does the necessity come in for their late night and net closing on Saturdays? One very patriotic farmer is reported to have said that he was procuring a good deal of stuff from Wellington as there was not the uncertainty attached to trading there as in the country. Where is the uncertainty? and what an honest farmer; he, no doubt, sells his grain, etc., here but purchases elsewhere. Another farmer was speaking about break-downs in machinery and not being able to get it repaired till the Monday. Perhaps he has now learnt that the blacksmiths, etc., already close on the Saturday, and without exception they are the people who country settlers are in more need of than grocery and other shops. I sincerely hope the Saturday half-holiday will come to pass, if not universally, at least here in Masterton as our various sports want a fillip which would then be brought about. Apologising for 'writing at such length, and thanking vou in anticipation.—-I am, etc., HUIA.