BRIGHTER TONE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 6

BRIGHTER TONE

STRATFORD RETAIL BUSINESS.

EFFECT OF LEGISLATION FEARED.

Antipathy towards the mortgagors legislation that has been before Parliament during recent weeks figured prominently in replies given yesterday by Stratford retailers to queries regarding the state of business in the last three months in comparison with the same period last year. Nearly all those approached considered there was a definitely brighter tone this year, but in nearly all cases the new legislation was condemned as a measure that would protect mortgagors at the expense of retailers and impair the harmonious relations that existed between vendor and purchaser, each of whom, through the exigencies of the slump period, had come to recognise the difficulties of the other.

At a time like the present when signs of recovery could be found in better returns, it was generally claimed that anything in the nature of the current legislation must have a restrictive effect and artificially hamper a natural tendency towards improvement.

The first dealer whose, views were sought had an encouraging three months to review. He explained that, though a large building was erected at Stratford early last year and promoted trade above the ordinary in his line, the first quarter of this year could show a better return to him. “Yes, we are receiving more cash from the general public,” he said in response to a query. AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR. A draper found it difficult to give a precise answer for a restricted period like three months, but he had no hesitation in saying that conditions were equally as good as last year, and if his experience in the past three months was a criterion he could confidently look forward to a generally better year. “The weather affects our trade a great •deai” he continued, “and this sum* mer we made more sales of summer clothing before Christmas than afterwards, though the weather since Christmas has ■ been so good that it is only in the past week or two that we have had autumn temperatures. Last year the weather was poor after Christmas and the demand for summer goods fell off early.” The trader had nothing good to say for the mortgagors’ legislation. Local body and parliamentary elections and new legislation all had an unsettling effect on the farmer /that disturbed the routine of trade and was bad for any business. Many of the farmers did not understand the two Bills that went before the House. They did not know how or to what extent they might be effected, and consequently they tightened their purse strings. Smaller sales were ‘the result.

“Every piece of legislation passed makes it more difficult for the trader to get his money, but the Government does nothing to help tne trader, who has to meet his obligations to the wholesale merchant.” With that statement the third shopkeeper interviewed brushed aside the question of comparative trade, which lost significance in his eyes against what he regarded as a main issue. “The anomaly is that everyone in New Zealand can tackle the trader but he cannot get his dues, and there is no doubt in my mind that this legislation will make the position worse,” he added.

Increased returns that enabled him not only to retain his staff but to keep as permanent two employees who were en» gaged temporarily for a seasonal rush were reported by another business man. According to the new legislation a retailer would have to think twice before giving credit, and having given jt he would have to rely on the integrity of his customers. It was impossible to conduct business on a purely cash basis successfully, and credit had to be advanced; as long as prices for primary produce improved the legislation would not have such an ill effect but if they declined he did not know what might result.

People had opened their purses this year, he stated, and commercial travellers reported an impetus to business apparent everywhere on their rounds.

PERSONAL ITEMS. In response to numerous requests, Mr. G. Trotter; Stratford, announced yesterday his intention of contesting the east ridipg seat on the Stratford County Council. He will also stand for election to the Stratford Hospital Board. Mr. James Jackson, Puniwhakau, who has been in Stratford hospital for the past few weeks, is making a gradual improvement. GENERAL ITEMS. Grant for Portrait. The Stratford Borough Council granted £5 5s last night to a fund being raised to secure a portrait of Lord Bledisloe, the painting to be placed in the National Art Gallery. Five Thousand Books. A count of the books in the Stratford municipal library taken recently showed that the number in stock was 5003,\ reported Mr. C. S. Kelly, librarian, to the Stratford Borough Council last night. During March 2634 books were issued, including 83 extra books. Forty-three new books were added during the month.

Camp Site Popular. A considerable increase in the patronage accorded the Stratford camp site has been given by tourists this season. The caretaker, Mr. E. P. Blanchard, re-, ported to the borough council last night that the fees collected this year amounted to £27, compared with £l5 last season. Street Work Over Four Years,

A total length of 281 chains of street formation work was done in the Stratford borough during the past four years, new footpaths were graded and formed to a length estimated at 200 chains. Regrading, remetalling and bitumen grouting were done over 182 chains. Nearly 3000 yards of metal and sand were carted from the pit and clay strippings totalling 2000 yards were taken from the pit to various formation worKs. License Fees Outstanding.

Outstanding license fees to the value of £126 were collected during the past month by the Stratford borough inspector, Mr. A. E. Sayers. Heavy traffic fees accounted for £lO5 of the total. Fees collected for the year amounted to £1079, which was an increase over the previous financial year, except for heavy traffic fees, as he now collected only the borough fees.