The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-02-27 00:00:00

EXTENSION OF BANK HOLIDAYS.

Mr. Ritchie moved the Second Reading of the Bank Holi-
days Act (1871) Extension and Amendment Bill, the main ob-
ject of which was to extend the Act passed at the instance of
Sir John Lubbock to Custom-houses, Inland Revenue offices,
and bonded warehouses In England and Ireland. He explained
that the Act of 1871 applied to banks only, and that without
legislation the employes in Custom-houses could not cease
business on the days mentioned in that measure. He showed
how largely people in business had, by ceasing from carry-
ing it on on those days, assisted to make them almost uni-
versal holidays, and that insurance offices and public
companies had followed the example of the banks in closing
their houses. At the same time, the fact that the docks and
Custom-liouses remained open on bank holidays rendered
compulsory the attendance of a large number of persons, in-
cluding shipowners, Custom-house agents, and ship store
dealers, while the fact that business was going on involved
a visit to the city at least of merchants interested in shipping
matters For the majority of the persons comprised within
the classes he had mentioned, he could say that they
gave the measure their entire support. Although the
docks and Custom-houses remained open the amount of
business done was small, and as to the objection that
had been raised that labourers would be thrown out of
employment upon these days, he pointed out that the
small number then at work would not justify the oppo-
sition on such a ground, especially as many of the
labourers had other occupations to depend upon After
dealing with other objections that had been raised to the
Bill, the hon. gentleman stated with regard to one of them,
put forward with reference to the sailing of ships, that
he proposed by an amendment to give directors of dock
companies power to perform work for the accommoda-
tion of shipping that Ithey might deem expedient, and
concluded by recommending the Bill to the consideration
of the House as a measure highly beneficial to the com-
munity.
Mr. Wilson, in roving that the [Bill be read e second
time that day six months, urged that no petitions had been
presented in favour of the Bill, and that no n ecessity for it
had been shown.
After remarks from Mr. Leeman, Sir W. Lawson, Mr.
Wheelhouse, Mr. Norwood, and Mr. Stevenson,
Mr.- W. H. Smith said that the Bill was not a Govern-
ment measure, and he wished to state the facts of the case so
far as the Government employes were concerned. With
reference to the considerations that had been urged as to
the northern ports, the Government quite felt their import-
ance, and he thought it would be necessary to insert in the
Bill clauses giving full liberty to the interests affected
to carry on their, trade if they pleased. The Treasury
had caused inquiries to be made in the departments in
London affected by the Bill, for there was no desire on
the part of the Treasury to retain employes in offices
where there was no work for them to do. He found
that in the London Custom-house on Easter Monday last
year there were 31 entries, 41 vessels reported, and 36 bonds,
while the amount of duty received was £1.49. On the next
bank holiday, in May, the figures were respectively 28, 29,
48, and £154 ; on the first Monday in August there were 40
entries, 88 vessels reported, and 1.349 received for duty,
while on Boxing-day there were 22 entries, 30 vessels reported,
and £2ll received for duty. The average on an ordinary day
was 3,163 entries, 221 bonds, and £36,688 received for duty.
He thought that they were bringing down a large number of
people to the Custom-house in London on bank holidays to
do a small amount of work, but it was not in the power of
the Treasury to relieve them without an Act of Parlia-
ment. The Board of Inland Revenue had stated that
they had no objection to the proposed extension. With
regard to the trade in the north of England, however,
1.1 would 1), PA 40 tlas 19x the aminnaco t 9 pri2!