PUBLIC OPINION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 49, Issue 7678, 26 April 1921, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

THE HALF-HOLIDAY

(To the Editor)

Sir, 1 would venture in ou the much discussed and vexed question of our half-holidav.

We lind a fanmr visitor from Hamilton backing up the Saturday Holiday, but I am prepared to listen nuher to the united voice of our own fanners, who by resolution have decided in no uncertain voice that they are against the Saturday holiday. Mr. Manktelow's voice, to me, seems too much like a lonely cry in the wilderness to carry any weight. Mr. Load conies back to the charge with a nice little fairy tale of our prospective railway. We men in business cannot deal so well in fairy tales as Mr. Toad, for we are concerned with grim facts and figures, and so 1 would allow him a clean field with that phrase of his letter (and it comprised the lot).

I have felt that too much aneut sport has been brought to bear in tliis question as we must take each separately and not mix thorn up, but with always first consideration to business. Let us leave sport alone, as whatever day is chosen men will have their sport just, as well. If it is wished to confine it all to Saturday we will have too many lookers-on and too few players, which is bad. My great opposition to Saturday closing is that to-day we are getting much trade from down the line that is just commencing to come uur way. I don't like it because I believe it may increase (he desire (which we should discourage) of our out-population to deal with mail-order houses.

Ido not understand, nnr I’m afraid appreciate, the gathering of opinion of local body’ clerks by our energetic opponents, as I affirm decidedly such a source of information is not reliable nor in touch with figures of business to speak on the matter correctly. Any answer must necessarily deal only in generalities. I think such opinions arc unconsciously biased as the communication comes from a movement hot and strong on one side- If our friends want real and proper opinions let them go to six, or more, men in business in each town- men whose books will allow them to venture an opinion that would be worth consideration.

I put. out two invitations; one to vuu, Sir, to visit my place of business where 1 will undertake to show (and prove) just what our neighbour's closing means to us in Tauranga and I do hope you will avail yourself of this invitation. Iho other is to our opponents. I would ask Mr. Miller, who already has Saturday off to call a meeting of his committee for next Saturday afternoon ou the wharf at a time to correspond with the arrival of the Mount boat see and note its arrival, and then ask Mr. Faulkner for a few facts of the volume of people now travelling compared with that period prior to March Ist. I trust the people will again show by their vote that they are prepared to allow us to give them the great service that Saturday provides, and when recording their vote that they will think of the farmers and employees in the outlying districts whose only day for shopping is Saturday. Bv so doing we will continue, as our' gradfalhers did, to observe a custom that has stood the test of time (like all good customs do), and has come out with flying colours, and besides no one wants in Tauranga a dull Saturday, but vat her a gala day weekly where on the Strand friends can meet friends and do their business. Thanking you for sp*»- I “"Hh." BEALE Tauranga, April 22nd. 19-1.