CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 303, 18 November 1930, Page 8

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

CLOSING OF SHOPS. RETAILERS’ DISCUSSION. The holidays to be observed in Palmerston North during Christmas and New Year were considered at a meeting of retailers held in Palmerston North today. Mr H. B. Free presided. Mr W. McKenzie read a letter from the Manawatu Traders’ Welfare Association asking him to convene a meeting of retailers to consider on which days the shops would close. The advisory board of the New Zealand Federation of Drapers, Clothiers and Boot Retailers wrote stating that the question of opening on the Saturday following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day had been considered, and it had been decided to recommend members to open on the Saturday. The board pointed out that it would not bo necessary to observe the usual halfholiday in districts where Saturday was usually observed as a half-lioliday unless members so desired. The chairman pointed out that this proposal emanated from Wellington, where the Saturday half-holiday was observed. Mr McKenzie said that where two whole holidays other than award holidays were observed iu the week retailers could keep open. The chairman: If we do not Have a late night on Saturday of New Year we can stay open two late nights in Christmas week. I understand that the grocers wish to close on the whole of Saturday in Christmas week. Mr N. M. Wallace: This meeting was called as a meeting of all retailers, yet none of the grocers is present. Mr L. Collinson: We do not want the town divided on the matter of holidays. Mr McKenzie: The grocers are in a different position, as they take orders mostly on two days of the week. The “catch” trade is not so great. Mr 'Wallace: It will make it hard for them on Christmas eve. People have to buy provisions. Messrs J. B. Gcrrand and Wallace then moved that the holidays be observed as set out in tho communication from Wellington, and the resolution was carried unanimously. Mr R. J. Meatyard, who arrived at this stage, said that there was a movement among the grocers to close on tho Saturday. The chairman: You are the only representative of the grocery trade here and I am afraid you are too late. Mr Meatyard: The grocers had not taken any action pending this meeting.