MID-WEEK HALF-HOLIDAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4527, 14 February 1923, Page 2

MID-WEEK HALF-HOLIDAY.

Sir,—The time is surely ripe co consider any steps that may be taken to advance the interests of Paeroa. The chief reason for the existence cf a town such as Paeroa lies in the convenience it offers as a trading or nia-’ket centre. Devoid of the attractions of a tourist resort, Paeroa must draw to itself the transactions of trade which will increase its wealt.li, and thereby assist the borough to obtain a revenue more commensurate witli its unwieldy acreage. It must also be remembered that the city is always' striving to obtain business clients from amongst the dwellers in the country. It cannot be doubted, therefore, that the advantage to trade lies in the observance of a mid-week half-holiday under the Shops Act, and the opportunity of retail trading on Saturday afternoons and evenings. Te Aroha is now stirring itself in matter, and it has just been computed that the loss to that town by closing on Saturdays' amounts to £75,000 per annum. Invercargill, for instance, which is a trading, centre for country people,, observes the mid-week half-holiday. Taihape, a town very much the junior of Paeroa in age, and already a borough more numerously populated than this one, will have none of this Saturday closing, and does more business on a Saturday than is done in Paeroa in an average week. Taihape is now offering £5OO in prize money for a sports gathering (not horse racing), on St. Patrick’s Day. A great deal of this prize money is found by the local traders. Let some enthusiast try to obtain a similar prize list from the traders of this borough ! There is no doubt Whatever that Saturday, being followed by a somewhat easier day for the patriots of the soil on whom we all depend, provides the opportunity that is best suited for family shopping. Paeroa, awake, and do not let towns such as Matamata leave you in this matter longer in the rear. The chance is yours at the time of the municipal elections in April next. Traders, be up and doing. ■—l am, etc., PROGRESS.