YEAR-END SHOP CLOSINGS

Grey River Argus, 25 November 1942, Page 3

YEAR-END SHOP CLOSINGS

WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. The suggestion of Palmerston North drapers, clothiers and boot retailers that it be a recommendation that theiii shops and offices should be closed from Christmas Eve to / aa V ai 7 12, 1943, was referred to Mr W. J. Mountjoy, secretary of the Wellington Employers’ Association.' He slated- “There is no. possibility of the retailers in general in Wellington Ci tv and th.e Hutt Valley closing their premises for a period of 20 days during the Christmas and New Year holidays. The suggestion as reported from Palmerston North, comes from only a section of retailers, and, m practice, the suggestion could not be carried out without much inconvenience to the general public. .For instance, grocers, butchers and all foou retailing shops must give service in the interests of the community,” Mr Mountjp-v contended that at the present time., when production is an important factor in the interests of the Dominion, it would be absurd and ridiculous to suggest that trade in general throughout the Dominion should stand still for such a period On >the contrary, it was suggested that every worker should do his utmost to make up for the present shortage in man-power. There was, however, nothing to prevent anv individual firm, who had no goods to sell, or did not deem it profitable to keep the premises open, closing down for 20 days, or for the duration of the' war should such firm so desire. ■