THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4925, 14 January 1895, Page 3

THE HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

[TO THE EDITOR.] '

SIR,—A threat deal is at the present time being said and written anent tie question of the compulsory half-holiday, and the matter is exorcising the minds of the majority of employers and employes throughout the Colony. The question is rather a serious one, and before a fixture is made, the matter should be discussed fairly and thoroughly. There is not the least doubt that employes are in' .favor-of Saturday, and employors .of Thursday, but if a ballot vere..tak»njtfie. great majority of:

the former would rule the day. The Borough Council decides the question in Mastertou, and it is to he hoped they will not bid for popularity—like an adjoining town Council has done-by settling tho day to please the audience assembled. , Look at the facts plainly, and the 1 differences of opinion are thus argued. The supporters of Thursday contend that from a trade point of view, it would be disastrous to close the shops on Saturdays, on which day the greatest amount of business is done, and in many instances the turnover equalling any other two days of the week, Saturday is tho market day, and the country peoplo and artizans have that day only on which to make their purchases. It is considered by some, that to close on Saturday would mean the loss of so much trade that business would have to be re-organised and possibly wages reduced. The present arrangements have been found to bo workable, and another alteration would so upset trade that it would take considerable time to resume its balance.

On tho other hand, the advocates of Saturday aver that if it was made universal no reason could be given for diversion or loss of trade. It is now observed by offices, banks, and the schools, and is the day usually selected for all sports and open-air amusements. So that those employed at establishments compelled to keep open on Saturdays, are debarred from taking part in many pleasures and pastimes that would otherwise have been permitted them, Country people do most of their business in the morning, and if the market day were changed to Friday, the alteration would soon pass unnoticed—l am etc, hir.utTui,. I =