Feilding Butchers To Be Grocers On Friday Nights

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29262, 21 July 1960, Page 15

Feilding Butchers To Be Grocers On Friday Nights

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON NORTH, July 20. The two Feilding butchers, Messrs E. M. Deslandes and K. Woods, are now selling cost-price groceries in opposition to the grocers selling pre-packed meat, and they are taking their “war” a step further. On Friday this week both men will keep their shops open for the sale of groceries only until the grocery shops close at 9 p.m. “We are not being spiteful,” said Mr Deslandes today. “We are just giving our many customers the service they want.” Both butchers said they had received numerous requests from the public to remain open on Friday nights. “At 4.30 p.m. on Friday we will take all our meat off display and become grocers.” said Mr Deslandes. Today Mr Deslandes received a number of letters from various towns in New Zealand congratulating him on the step he has taken. One letter was addressed: Mr Deslandes’ master grocer and butcher, Feilding.” Several Feilding housewives have offered their services free

to' help them sell groceries if their normal staff is unable to continue coping with the rush they are at present experiencing. But both Messrs Deslandes and Woods said, that, although they did not have time for a cup of tea once their shops were open, they do not, at this stage, intend to accept the housewives’ offer. One Feilding grocer, acked what he thought about the butchers remaining open on Friday evenings, said that was what the grocers had -wanted the butchers to do all along. “They are waking up fast,” he said. Other grocers, when asked to cpmment, expressed surprise at the butchers’ latest move, but Would make no cpmment.