PROBLEM OF SHOPPING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 97, 14 August 1945, Page 5

PROBLEM OF SHOPPING

DINNER HOUR OPENING REQUESTED The Whakatnne Chamber of Commerce lias received a letter from members of the Galatea Women s Institute thanking it for its attempt to arrange more transport from Galatea to Whakatane, and putting forward the suggestion that an effort be made to have tjie shops open at mid-day ? as this would be far more convenient to country shoppers.

The letter added that the bus from Te # Wbaiti does, not arrive in Whakiitanc till nearly mid-day on Fridays and leaves again early in the afternoon. Thus it can be seen thai the closed shops during the dinner hour present a problem to housewives who lit list endeavour to perform all their shopping in the short time between the shops opening and the bus leaving.

The actual reason that decided the shops to close for dinner from

12.30 to 1.30 p.m. was the shortage of staff. It was decided that it would be preferable to give service with a full and complete staff and close for one hour in the middle of the day than to remaii\ open right through and give what /might only be an unsatisfactory service for two hours during the middle ol the. day with the shop half staffed.

,Vs is shown, the situatian as it stands is presenting much difficulty to shoppers from the outlying country districts, and perhaps something could be done whereby the position could be matlc easier for those who of necessity, must make their purchases in the middle of the day.