MOTOR PARKING IN FRONT OF SHOPS

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 2, 12 April 1927, Page 4

MOTOR PARKING IN FRONT OF SHOPS

(To the Editor)

Sir, —I should be glad to have the opportunity of expressing my opinion that the effusion of your correspondent, "Main Street," manifests a deplorable lack of logic and want of foresight for (inter alia) the following reasons:—(a) By compelling prospective customers of the motoring fraternity to leave the vehicles which had transported the to the shopping area to some less convenient place the volume of local purchases would decrease as the ladies, who do most of the shopping, are not physically capable (even though mentally inclined) of carrying babies and large parcels of goods from shop to shop, and ultimately down to the parking area, (b) A motorist will not leave a valuable car in an unprotected parking place to look around to be tempted into making purchases. Peace of mind is essential to successful business. In -this connection ,1 ask, Sir, is the Lower Hutt Business Men's Association (a live body, I understand) prepared to impose a levy on its members to pay for the establishment of a conveniently situated and well lighted parking area under the supervision of a caretaker, and is "Main Street" prepared to pay his levy? "Main Street" has made reference to an existing danger to women and children crossing the main thoroughfare. I ask your correspondent if the existing by-law were enforced and the prohibition observed, would the present precaution for pedestrians to look up and down before crossing the Main Street be obviated ? To my mind, sir, your correspondent either pays a very poor compliment indeed to the intelligence of the local pedestrian, or credits him with suicidal proclivities. "Main Street" has, I notice, omitted to mention that many of the offenders are the business men themselves who, in spite of the "top" prices they pay for buildings, etc. (which, by the way, in most cases are not one sixth of the overhead expenses borne by their city competitors) have been able to enrich shareholders in foreign automobile manufactories instead of reducing the prices of their wares to the local consumer. In conclusion, I trust that your correspondent will appreciate ray humble effort to save him from himself. With thanks in anticipation and my best wishes for the success of the "Hutt News."—l am, etc.,

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