WEDNESDAY HALF-HOLIDAY SUGGESTED.

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1941, Page 2

WEDNESDAY HALF-HOLIDAY SUGGESTED.

[To the Editor] Sir.—lnstead of trying to obstruct the civic authorities in their efforts to carry out an effective black-out of Greymouth, carping critics, like your correspondent this morning, should widen their outlook, and endeavour to show that they are genuinely behind good order and sane government in community life. Because the black-out does not please him, your correspondent jumbles into his diatribe a whole series of depth charges” aimed’at showing that the Borough Council is a useless nonentity. Why has his finely balanced mental equilibrium not been placed at the disposal of the electors before now? Surely a man of his views and opinions, should aim to be sitting at the Council table giving the benefit of his advice as a much-travelled man! Instead of throwing mud, your correspondent and other businessmen in Greymouth might well consider a readjustment of hours to enable shoppers to get the fullest benefits of shopping in daylight. I suggest that to-day’s meeting of businessmen, instead of attempting to condemn the black-out, might devote their attention to a proposal to revert to the Wednesday half-holiday, cutting out the late night on Friday and having their premises open on Saturday afternoons. Thijs change would enable wage-earners paid on Friday afternoons to do all their shopping on Saturdays, it would eliminate the present Friday night' stampede, and it would enable the buying public better to see the quality of the goods they were purchasing. Of course, it will be argued that this means a reduction of hours. What of it? Will the three or four hours worked in a black-out on Friday not be more than compensated for in the amount of business that will be transacted on a Saturday? I hope today’s meeting will be largely attended, but I hope more sb, that commonsense will be tile keynote of the discussions. There is too much at stake to-day for any businessman to assume the role of a carping critic, and I trust those in Greymouth will not be led astray by those wh 0 have little respect for authority. I am, etc., NOT BLACKED-OUT.