SATURDAY CLOSING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 17 June 1913, Page 8

SATURDAY CLOSING.

AUCKI.AND'S EXPERIENCE

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, June 16. i Divergent views are expressed by •shopkeepers concerning the effect that the Saturday closing movement will have upon their business. Some, as results of the first week's expedience, exP.re:ss, themselves quite satisfied with the change, but others, especially those in a small way of business and those dealing, in ncn-neeessities or ''catch lines.'.' give quite different evidence. Queen street is not greatly affected by the change, as th« majority of business places there have hitherto closed on Saturday nz one. o'clock. The thoroughfare that is principal! yconcerned is Karangahape road, which has built up a reputation as Auckland's great Saturday street. Many tradesmen state that last week, with the Wednesday afternoons and late Friday nights' trade in. lieu, of Saturday afternoon and evening, was a disastrous one, and that_ if things do not improve as the public become accustomed to the change, the result will be very serious. Others state that their week's trade showed.no falling off, and that they are quite. satisfied with the new order, of things. All are agreed that the business done last Friday night, which took the place of Saturday night foy v the first time, was very poor, but tne \veather was very inclement, and thus a reliable comparison cannot be made. The crowd in Karangahape road on Saturday was about half as large as it has hitherto been. This was remarked upon by those who are exempted from closing-on Saturday and who were open last night.- 'Many of these shopkeepers that the the change must seriuosly affectvtheir Saturday's takings, since there >vill not be'nearly the same niui,hber of people in the street on Saturday .afternoons'.', and eveniiigs as in-the past.