RACING AND CLOSING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10780, 31 May 1911, Page 6

RACING AND CLOSING.

To the Editor. Sir,—''Shopkeeper"' in his reply to •Citizen" as to the reason whv hc was one who was open on Wednesday afternoon (Empire Day)-statfs thathe did so as a protest.-.against raem„, vet when tlie' matter jyas discussed, he was quite calm and quiet. He made no mention that he. would n<?t; close and that he would remain open as a protest. No; only when "Citizen" referred to the catching of a wandering penny -did he squeak in his defence. He also speaks on behalf of the other shopkeepers who remained open; I flank fie ov&r reached-himself in his bewildered. state of mind," for I' f e , e \. shopkeeper who had.his shop OpCn that afternoon did not do so. as a protest against racing, and I think he himself when he speaks on their behalf, However, the truth may come out. > -4? to his remarks m-regard to some of dur shopkeepers being ashamed to attend the races, I do not think-they, lost anj of their respectability by attending th meeting. The no doubt, defend themselves from any attack, xhev also attended the meetmg aiid appeared to enjoy the outing. 1 wish to advise Mr Shopkeeper fiat many people attend race meetings and do not bet they being quite to watch the beautiful horses. Evidently . Shopkeeper" is no'sport, and'is one who desires no pleasure and has- no ieeliugs for others. It is rather amtfsing; he advises the churches and Minister? Association to take a stand in the .matter. Possibly Mr "Shopkeeper be acting the part of a ' wowser la that ease, then sport of any kind will not have his support. In conclusion, I must sav that in summarising the contents of his letter, I am the more convinced that Mr "Shopkeeper remained oueii for. the wandering pennies, and; I inaintain that it is unfair to the Jockey Club that busines people s intentions are not conveyed to the public in a more "enuine manner. Thanking yon in anticipation.-! am, et«J-v