SHOPPING HOURS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3277, 18 June 1943, Page 5

SHOPPING HOURS

LATE NIGHT IN PAEROA business people meet electricity conservation Shopping hours in Paeroa combined with the urgent need to conserve electricity were matters discussed at Thursday night s meeting of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce when it was decided that for the period of the electricity emergency all shops in Paeroa close every night including Fridays at 5 o’clock and that it be a recommendation to all businesses that on the late night (Friday) they re-open at 6 p.m. and during the winter close at 8 p.m. and in summer 9 p.m. The chairman, Mr D. Leach, explained that the purpose of the meeting* was to secure some definite decision regarding shopping hours. There were,-he explained, two points of . view. One for providing suitable shopping hours and the other the necessity of conserving power. Mr Leach emphasised that electricity had to be conserved especially between 5 and 6 p.m. and all business houses were being asked by the Thames Valley Electric Power Board to close from 5 p.m.

“If we do not co-operate there is a possibility that the power will be cut off altogether, including private houses,” added Mr Leach. Wai hi, said Mr Leach, had been closing at 5 p.m. for the last 12 months and at 5.30 on Friday and Morrinsville was doing the same. Both these towns are fully satisfied with the arrangement. Mr H. M. Shand said that both Te Aroha and Thames would be closing at 5 p.m. each day in future. He also emphasised that every possible unit of electricity should be saved. The chairman *then read the following letter from the manager of. the Thames Valley Electric Power Board: “ I wish to bring under your notice the serious position as affecting the supply of electricity in the North Island, and particularly as affecting the Thames Valley Power Board’s district. Use of Water Heaters “The position has reached a state when conservation of electricity must be applied wherever possible in order that any supplies are available whatever. It is particularly requested that waterheaters be eliminated from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the day, and in order to assist, we would suggest that the business community close their premises between the, hours of 5 and 6 p.m. daily, especially late shopping night on Friday nights. The effect of the business people closing down between 5 and 6 p.m. will certainly . assist materially and psychologically and I would thank you foi your co-operation in this matter, in your town.” Mr Craig (Hannah and Co.), said he thought the town was making a very great mistake at present in closing on Friday night and that a lot of business from the Hauraki Plains was going to Thames and others to Te Aroha. Mr Leigh moved that in future all Paeroa businesses, excluding* eating houses, close every night including Friday, between 5 and 6 p.m. so as to conserve electricity during the period of emergency. Mr T. J. L. Broadley spoke in support of the resolution pointing out the Dominion-wide need to conserve electricity. He seconded the motion. Mr J. H. Bartlett said the purpose of the meeting was to secure some unanimity in the matter of closing. At present some shops were shut and some were open and this had led to complaints from the farmers and from the Paeroa Borough Council. The question of conservation of power had only arisen in the last day or so, added Mr Bartlett, pointing out the need to conserve power in view

of the danger of being totally cut off if some saving was not made. Trade Friday Night Mr D.' McWatters supported the motion, adding that it would also solve the tea hour problem. The resolution was carried unanimously. The chairman said that both Mr J. P. Gamble and Mr P. Williams had signified their intention of remaining closed on Friday night irrespective of the decision made to-night. Mr P. H. Leigh said that he found there was a definite demand after six o’clock Friday evening .and 25 per cent of his takings on Fridays were taken after 6 p.m.

Another feature, said Mr Leigh, was the fact that the country people came in to town on Friday nights to the pictures and with the shortage of petrol tried to combine the one trip into a shopping and pleasure trip. Mr W. H. Cheale said he had not had time to call a meeting: of farmers

but thought they were of the opinion that the shops should stay open late on Friday night. Mr Broadley moved that it 'be a recommendation that all shops in Paeroa close at 8 p.m. on Friday nights during the period of winter (May 1 to September 30), and stay open until 9 p.m. in the summer months. The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, said that speaking from a town point of view he was sorry that there was no unanimity in the town. He thought it was the duty of all 4 o provide the best possible serw'ce from the point of view of attracting business to Paeroa. Conditions would not always oe as they were at present and in the days which lie ahead all firms would be seeking all the business it was possible to get. The resolution was carried unanimously.