ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3068, 2 May 1917, Page 6

ANZAC DAY

Sir,—A good deal of criticism has taken place on, the fact that so many shops were open on the afternoon' oil Anzae Day, and the shopkeepers showed at least a spirit of indifference to-i ward our dead heroes who fell at Gallipoli. As a shopkeeper that was open, arid on behalf of many .others, I beg a little space to deny that it was anything of the kind. Our' good Mayor, Mr. Luke, invited all shops to closo, but His Worship did not include the! hotels in his invitation. Why not?, Not only on this occasion, but ou many others, the ory is "Close tha shops." Well and good; but we shopkeepers say also "Close the hotet bars" and then we will close our shop 3 .: Tho hotels are always open, and da, good trade on thesa occasions, but the shopkeeper who has to find heavy rent money and pay his way is asked to close up, and if he does not choose to do so unless the hotels fall into life a slur is cast upon him. Is this fair?— i I am, etc., / A SHOPKEEPER. April 28. AUSTRALASIA'S METHOD OF LIVING Sir,—The writer has been through, during the past six months, rnost. pfl the principal towns or cities of Australasia, and could not fail to see- that the manner of living was quito out o? character with the present war times, when, for instance, now in England the ory is rapidly sounding starvation or great reduction in all classes with ro-i gard to living., Yet here in our steamers, hotels, boardinghousos, and private dwellings no change has ' been: made. Is this flaying the game, and itf it not painfully unfair such should continue? Surely what is good enough for our Royal family, viz., meat, vegetables, and sweets, should be amply sufficient for us. I feel certaia it only requires that this subject should) be voiced through the power of youi paper for the public to immediately request our Government to' take suchi action that such thoughtlessness shoul<J not further exist. Many in different! parts here have expressed their minds in this direction, and would gladly conform, 'but it requires to be mada general to bo of any markedl-benefit; and this shameful waste lo cease. —I am, etc., LONDON.