EMPIRE DAY HOLIDAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10767, 16 May 1911, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY HOLIDAY.

To the Editor.

Sir, —Since coming to this fair city of ours I have been much' struck by one peculiarity in the business methods of Oamaru. In other places in the Dominion where I have dwelt, on the occasion of any function calculated to. attract a large influx of strangers to the town, the cry of the shopkeeping fraternity has been, "Come, let us make our shops as attractive as possible; perhaps among so many visitors we may secure extra trade." But in Oamaru it is quite different; the idea apparently being, "Oh, what a crowd we shall have; come, let us shut our shops." Could anything be more absurd? I notice that in connection with the approaching race meeting the usual ■ formalities have been gone through; that august body, the Committee of the Retailers' 'Association, has been approached and the usual stereotyped notice has been issued, recommending shopkeepers to close on the afternoons of both Wednesday and Thursday in race week. I am pleased to learn, however, that at last common sense lias asserted itselr, and that considerable opposition is being evinced, to the proposal, una I understand that quite a large number of the shops intend to remain open on Wednesday afternoon, and that wouldbe customers will find no difficulty whatever in finding shops in all branches or business open, and ready to supply their wants. Let us hope that this is the dawn of a better day for Oamaru, and of saner business methods. —i am, et<3 "' SHOPKEEPER.