THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4258, 1 November 1892, Page 2

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Meeting of Tradesmen, A well-attended meeting of Masterton shopkeepers was held in the Olub Hotel last night, to consider the halflioliday question. Mr M. was voted to the chair. After plaining the objects of the meeting, Mr Caselberg said that in his opinion Thursday would be the most suitable day, and invited discussion. Mr Whitt asked if hit omployis oame within the meaning of the Aot. Mr Caselborg read the Aot and ia reply to a question said that the Aot did not interfere with the present fixed holidays, The only thing about it was they Were obliged to allow employes a half-holiday in each week, Mr Whitt said it was not neoessary to close shops. ' ! Mr Caselberg said that was case, but it would be the best instead of allowing employes to go in batches' to work in unison, and agree to close on the same day. A letter was read from Mr Kow Eee stating his willingness to close on any day fixed'except Wednesday and Saturday. Mr Whitt asked what they would do if those who were not present re* fused to olose.

The Chairman said they hadflft) remedy, V Mr Petersen suggested that a petition be taken round for signature. Mr E, T. Holmes moved and Mr Whitt seconded that Thursday be the day on which all Masterton tradesmen agree to close their places of business from 1 o'clock p,m. The motion was oarried. Mr Heron wished to Bay that while iu perfect sympathy with the movement, he might explain that he clojsed his shop at 5,30 eaoh night, and did not keep open on Saturdays. He would allow his carter a holiday on the same day, but for the convenience of customers ho might be asked to give a sack of oats or something to a oustomer on the holiday day. His was. an exceptional case, and he thought the explanation due, He was nut in any way an obstructionist,

Mr Murray said that he supposed the closing would be general

Mr Whitt said it would not be lair if ho closed and some other the same line of business kept opa^r Mr Oaßelberg said it was no good raisin; difficulties. They represented more than two thirds of the business people. They had fixed on Thursday as the day for closing, and he sugges* ted nil of them signing to that effect. There were always somo who would not aot with the majority, and they could not oompol them to do so. He might say that so far as the - Wairarnpa Farmers' Co-operative Association was concerned, they would olose if all the rest kept open. It was decided, after some disoussion, that the first holiday under the Aot, be kept on Friday, November 4th, on account of the Carterton Show, and that thenceforth overy Thursday.. The following agreement was then drawn up, and signed by all present; " We, the undersigned, do hereby agree to close our places of businoss on every Thursday from 1 o'clock p.m., and desire that our fellow tradesmen who are not represented at this ineeta ing do likewise," JjiK