LATE CHOPPING NIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 15

LATE CHOPPING NIGHT

DIVISION IN HASTINGS QUESTION OF HALF-HOLIDAY [BY TELftGRAPH —PBEMSP ASSOCIATION] HASWNGS, Wednesday Hastings is to have two late shopping nights each week. This will be the result of a division of opinion on the half-holiday question. Those favouring Saturday closing have secured the: signatures of 151 retailers who are prepared to change the day of closing. On the other hand many other retailers, including most of the large stores, have indicated their intention of adhering to the present half-holiday on Thursday, which was retained as a result of a poll some two years,ago. Those who desire to do so may, by application to the Labour Department, have their day of closing altered to Saturday. By this process, those who desire to close on Saturday have brought about a change so far as their own businesses are concerned. The stage is now sell for a trial of strength between the two groups. If the buying public shows a disposition to continue to do its principal shopping on' Saturday night, businesses that open on Friday night will suffer in comparison. If, however, there is a swing-over in favour of Friday night shopping, then the businesses adhering to the custom hitherto existing will be faced with the necessity of revising their policy.