Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1931. A HEALTHIER TONE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 83, 17 March 1931, Page 4

Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" Established 1890. TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 1931. A HEALTHIER TONE

THERE is evidence in business circles in Stratford of a healthier Lone. The improved price of wool at the London, Australian and Dominion sales was no small factor in engendering this optimistic feeling, while dairy produce prices are steady with an upward tendency. Some of the pay-outs of the factories in the district have been more encouraging, also; so that, altogether, there is ample ground for increasing confidence in the position in the near future. There is also the fact to be realised that Stratford is being more widely recognised as a sound business centre, and the advent within a week of two professional men to set up practice in the town is significant at least in support of this view. The unfortunate victims of the fire on Sunday week, "whereby three shopkeepers were left without premises in which to continue business, are finding difficulty in procuring suitable premises; in fact, it is claimed that there are no empty shops of considerable dimensions to be obtained at present. Some time must elapse necessarily before new premises can be erected on the site of the fire, and in the meantime those traders will be forced to do what they can to maintain connectiou with the public in temporary quarters. While this is to be' deplored for their sakes, it is not a bad sign by any means to have no empty shops in any town. It shows the trade baromeLer as seL high. In comparison with the position in neighbouring towns, Stratford stands out as a prosperous centre, solid at the core, and with steadily increasing trade, the ramifications of which are slowly but surely being pushed into new territory. In the hinterland, towards the Main Trunk, on the line of the railway, which, it is anticipated confidently, will be opened during the year 1932, there is much more business that should and can be done in Stratford, which is the geographical centre of that part of the country. Just what effect is the way o£ improvement to Stratlord'3 trade this important event, the opening of.' through traffic, will have, is in the lap of the gods, but that it will be all to the good in any case cannot; be denied. In the meantime the town's leading commercial and professional men, and the residents as a body, must work together. There must be the whole-hearted

community spirit, having for its objects the improvement of Stratford ns a business town and its progress as a municipality. The main aim must be to endeavour to make Stratford known as a desirable place of residence, where the social

{services are unsurpassed compared to any Lown of its .size, providing the greatest comfort and conveniences in the lives of the people at the lowest cost commensurate with all the circumstances.