BUSINESS MEN DISAGREE

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1930, Page 8

BUSINESS MEN DISAGREE

MAYOR’S MEETING INDECISIVE

CONTROVERSY OVER HOLIDAYS.

The much-debated question as to whether Stratford as a town should be open or closed lor business on Decem-ber-27 was reviewed ■ yesterday afternoon, wnen, *an accordance with notice from the Mayor, 26 retailers assembled in‘the municipal chambers.. After, a’ long discussion no decision was reached aud the position is that grocers and some ironmongers will close with certain other businesses, -while’.some drapers and boot retailers will remain open. The Mayor asked all to dilabuse their minds of any feeling of partisanship on his part. He felt that retailers of Stratford were at sixes and sevens and it was desirable that an opportunity should be given for a further expression of opinion. Mr. Thomson reviewed the events that had led up to the meeting. After Empire Week he understood that a number of business men expressed themselves as being in ■favour of--opening on this particular Saturday. Then a petition was circulated but the Mayor expressed the opinion that this was not a very satisfactorymethod. of reaching a decision, of some unanimity. The petition was followed by a meeting, called he understood by telephone, at which 33 firms were present or represented. This meeting decided by what might seem a big majority to close. Some had disagreed and subsequent.' to the meeting a section met in opposition and decided that their premises would remain open. Here, again, said the Mayor, a mistake was made. That meeting should have , been called in due and proper order, as also , should h ave the previous ; one; ■. h . The whole affair carried' a . Gilbertian aspect; said :Mt.’ Thomson. Country customers were now bewildered. The Mayor asked retailers' to look, at the position from the'point of view of their customers. He thought the town should either close dr .open as a whole.,' The present methods were highly unsatisfactory and a decision should be made having regard to what course, v.-ate’in the best interests of all concerned, and bi the -town as a town. r . f ' ■ “I hope . there , will be no acrimony over this "matter, but if a. decision is reached to-day, I ask you-all to-abide loyally by .it,” said Mr. Thomson. ' SOME" DETERMINED TO OPEN. Mr. Thomson added that since his advertisement calling the meeting he had received notice that certain-shopkeepers would in any event keep th'eit pi-emises open. “This,” said the Mayor,; “was certainly extending to me due courtesy but I think those who made it should at. least have waited Until the views of this meeting had been expressed. If you cannot reach a unanimous opinion you can leave the matter to me and I will soon decide it by tossing a eoiri,” lie concluded.

“As 'a member of what can be termed the opposition . . , .” began Mr. J. Walker. ' • ■

The Mayor: “Opposition to what?” Mr. Walker: “Opposition to closing.” He explained that after Empire Wefek there was not one dissenting voice bn the Empire Week Committee to the opinion that shops should remain open. He regarded the present time being unpropitious to closing and said he would very much object ’to having to close his business. . . Mr. E. D. Evans said he received no advice of any of the meetings so far h(?ld. He congratulated the Mayor upon the fairness with which he had put'the position. Mr. Evans recalled that at the Bigger previous meeting a big majority had been in favour of closing and he thought everybody should abide by that decision. ■ . Mr. J. Orr, while personally in favour of remaining open, said he was prepared to abide by the decision of the majority. He added his support to those wishing: to close. Mr. Orr gave the meeting the assurance that grocers would close on the Saturday. ■ ■■ Mr. R. If. White thought it was too late to reach 1 any decision, especially as about eight businesses had publicly announced their intention of remaining open. He thought a good deal,of business would be done on the Saturday, especially as the fine 1 weather wag just makifig its appearance. This sentiment >vas endorsed by Mr. C. S. Lucas. OPENING DECISION DEFINITE.

Mr. H. T. Cooper said the discussion seemed to become lengthy. He asked if those in opposition to closing had definitely decided to open, because if so there wag little use in continuing the discussion. •

“We are definitely pledged, to keep our premises open,” said Mr. B. Joyes, chairman of what had by now become known as the opposition faction. In Wellington, he said, retailers were opening from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., although this had not been the case in past; years. “Why were not all business, people ■asked to attend the last meeting and why have those present at that meeting not abided by' the decision they reached?” asked Mr. Evans.- .

The chairman: I have already tried to explain that a’ certain' section desired to keep open. “I have had 20 years’ experience. in business in Stratford,” said Mr. H. Burmester, “and I'am able to say that is absolutely nothing doing on December -27.”

“If a motion is carried, are. all will; ing to abide by its terms?” asked Mr. W. Mclnnes. "

The, chairman said he would make sure of that point as soon as a motion was proposed.- '' ' ’ ' Mr. Evans moved that all present at the meeting agree to abide by any majority decision. “I object definitely,” said Mr. Joyes. “I cannot see why my business, with its own clientiele and its own associations, should be closed by vote of other and different businesses.”

In reply to the chairman Mr. Joyes said he was in Stratford last December 27 and enjoyed a good day’s business. The motion?was carried with a few discordant voices.

“That cannot bind us,” said a couple of '■ delegates. , ■, Mr. E. Carryer moved that all the businesses represented keep their premises open on the Saturday, but • Mr. Tvujte said-he and those associated with him in: the. public announcement, had. decided definitely to open. Mr. Kear suggested that a. vote should not be taken and that the matter should , be, allowed to> drop, each business man to do what- he thought best. He moved as an amendment that the meetiuo- take no further action. This amendment was. carried. “The position now is- that some businesses will be open and some closed,” said the chairman,' “but I regret the feeling.” 1 .;‘ >.. .. . , < <“May I appeal to you to hasten to form a properly constituted ratepayers’ association,” said the Mayor.' CHRISTMAS TREE AT CARDIFF. BREAKING-UP OF SCHOOL. Happy children in white, a scarletrobed Father Christmas and a tree laden with gifts combined to produce an atmosphere of festivity at Cardiff Hall on Thursday night. Although the concert programme had'been-arranged in a fortnight only, the children’s efforts were well received by the : large ' audience of parents and friends. . A 1 ' ■ Old-time carols lent. Christmas atmosphere to the gathering. The little ones caused much amusement as they tripped through the mazes of. the folk dances. Perhaps the most popular item of the evening was the juvenile orchestra, led by- a small boy who beat his drum with great spirit. The part singing of the senior girls was especially pleasing. The programme was:. Carol, 1 juniors; action: song, school; folk dance, “Polly, Put'the Kettle On,” school; song and chorus, Corinne Wickham, Bertie Winmill and juniors; Danish dance, school; carol, ■ girls. The pianietes were, . the Misses M.. Richards, M. Brunton and E r Cameron. At-the conclusion of the programme Mr., Shannon. school commissioner, ■ reviewed the work -of the year . and congratulated both teachers and children on the results:attained. Prizes presented by. the . teachers,-Miss. H. E. A. Small and Miss R.. Were, were. awarded as follow:— >' . ■ . . . Std.'VL-r—Peggy Gall 1, Dorothy. Hollins 2.. . ■ ■. . Std. V.--moan Raynor 1, Lorna. Hollins 2. .■' . ... • ..... . f .-.Std-. IV.-T-Doro.tby?. Goble 1,. Ellen Cameron 2. r- ..... ; ’■; . Std. .lll.—yOwen Mander 1, Betty Brunton,-2.-.i Std. ll.—Sid.-Carjey. 1. . . , ../. Std. I, —Norah Shannon I, Mary Marchant 2. ~ '• , , t Primmer lll.—Elsie Fox 1. ' Primmer ll.—Cyril Stewart 1. . Attendance .Prize,—Albert. WinmilL • A dance. followed the distribution of gifts from "the' tree.-’ . ■ f PERSONAL. • a •Mr. W. P. • Kirkwood has arrived in Stratford - from Sydney- and will epend the holidays with his’family. Mr.- H. C. Walker and Miss E. W. Longbottom will take.-up duty as probationary assistants when the- Stratford primary- school reopens in February. Reference-to the death of Mr. H. E. Abraham,' who was chairman. of the board of directors of S.- Mary’s Dio-cesan-School, Stratford, was made at the annual prizegiving ceremony of the school yesterday by Mr. W. H. H. Young, the present chairman. Mr. Abraham, he said, had been one of the foundation members whose advice and guidance had been' invaluable.

Although the phone ■ itself has not yet’ been installed, the cubic-le for the additional slot telephone in Broadway, near Regan Street,’ Has -been placed in position.' ' //.'7. \ . Mr.;M. McDonald, land agent, Stratford, has an ideal- hotel . property on his. books available on easy terms. The following will represent the Eltham ‘ Bowling • Club . against Park, at IJawera . to-day:—Franks, .’•/McCready, Bigg-s,’ Renai' (s) ; Marx, Egarr, Gooding, A. R. Gower (s);/A’ Stewart; W. Gower, McQueen, Woods (s) ; Best, J. Phil-,' lips, Bootteii, Stewart (s) ;■ Sta'nners, Fake, Judd, Tiplady (s); Linn, Mackay, Thomas, Jackson’(s).

The .Eltliam Fire Brigade received a call'shortly after 6 p.mi. yesterday. It was promptly • on the scene 'of the fire, which’ consisted- of burning grass and rubbish. .

Revision of was: discussed at a recent meeting of directors of the Eltham -Dairy Co.’ It was decided -hot to make .any, reductions,, it being considered that any possible saving in'this direction, would be of very small proportions and would, result in little benefit to the suppliers. , < Miss Kelly, of the teaching staff of the’.Eltham School, who leaves shortly on, .a’trip ’to, England,: was ;fli.e ; recipient of a toilet set’ at a presentation made yesterday by the girls in standard V. Miss. Kelly also received a parting gift .from her- fellbwVteachers. Mr. E. Leach, Ohura, 'is the guest of Mr. and .Mrs.- G. Smart, Stratford. ' ELTHAM THEATRE. “LADIES MUST PLAY.” ■' ).■ • ; “Ladies -Must Play,” showing tonight at Eltham,. has all . the elements that go to make tip a popular photoplay. ■ -It has' an abundance ■of light comedy and brilliant, dialogue, smartly gowned’ women and well groomed men, -a touch'of melodrama and an excellent cast .of screen favourites. The. story is enacted against a background of New York’s and Newport’s smart set.. Briefly; the story' tells of a stenographer whose ambition it is to marry a millionaire; ’Her employer undertakes to introduce the’ girl to ? -several wealthy friends. The girl meets with great success in her venture, only, to discover that when she can get what she wants it is not- what she wants after all. Dorothy Sebastian, in the role of a matrimonially ambitious stenographer, ably, demonstrates that, she has great potentialities as a comedienne, and Neil Hamilton-as . wholly likeable and utterly ' irresponsible '- society Beau Brummel, gives an enjoyable and sympathetic performance.