UNIVERSAL HALF-HOLIDAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 93, 2 December 1911, Page 5

UNIVERSAL HALF-HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor “Stratford Post.”) Sir,—Re tho letter signed by the Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce on the above subject, which ap-

peared in your issue of the 27th November j I cannot understand what motive the Chamber of Commerce have for endeavouring to bring about a universal half-holiday for Taranaki, and if successful, where is the advantage ? Then, again, why should the Secretary throw so much weight in favour of Saturday P That he does so is only too apparent by the tone of his letter. He says the Stratford business people have been asked for

their opinion, and “while a large • number have favoured Thursday, the majority are at present supporting Saturday. Waitara also supports Saturday, and unofficial information from New Plymouth and Patea suggests a similar course.” Does the Secretary of the Chamber

of Commerce wish your readers to understand that the retailers in Waitara, New Plymouth, and Patea,favour closing their shops on Saturday afternoon and evening, or does he mean the people of .these towns favour Saturday? In either case, how does he know that- these few retailers who

have given the subject careful consideration would for a moment favour Saturday as a half-holiday? Saturday ' afternoon and evening have always been recognised, both in New Zealand and other countries, as the busiest shopping time of the week, and wily should the Chamber, of Commerce—or any other bod W—advocate Saturday as a half-holiday P ' Stratford has a lle- • tailers’ Association, made up of retailers from all trades. ; This ■’Association was formed, I Understand; ,more particularly for the plirposo' of'■.secuHng unanimity athbhgSt retailers on the question of sfaechil/holidays. , h'dr < instance, the executive decide that ah shops shall close at 1 p.m. on each of the Show days, and the retailers fall in with the arrangement. The Association is managed -by and is doing good work. I fail to sec | why the Chamber* of Commerce should take up this question, as it appears to me to be strictly within the province of the Retailers’ Association so far as retailers are* cbricerhqd. Accountants, auctioneers, land'agents,‘lawyers, etc, may favour Saturday, bub'l venture to' say very few 'retailers in Stratford—or any other 1 town—favour Saturday for the half-holiday. Ised the Chamber of Comnierce intend inviting the Mayors of Boroughs and Chairmen of Town Boards to a conference to he held at Stratford on December 15th: not a word as' to a delegate from the Retailers’ Association! Are the business men that would be most affected by any’ change to be ignored in this matter, or is at an oversight? 1 Nelson and Napier tried Saturday, but both were glad to give it up. About three or four, years ago some agitators tried to get Wanganui to adopt Saturday, and it was only by strenuous efforts on the part of the ictailers, who, besides, were put bo (onsiderable expense, that Thursday was retained. In Stratford, Saturday is the great shopping day for the farmer and his family. Saturday shopping suits him best; he is our 1 c«t customer, and Stratford would r.ct be much without him, therefore, he must bo considered. I understand • u adjourned meeting of the Retailers’ Association will be held on Monday evening. Every retailor should make a point of atending, as this matter wi. i, no doubt, be brought up for ois.Mission. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, in .anticipation.—l am, etc., ; RETAILER.