CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1383, 8 April 1915, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

- (To the Editor). Sir, —In your two issues of last week there appeared correspondence referring to the local Holiday Association, and I shall be pleaded it yon will allow me space in your journal to deal with one or two points that both correspondents appear to have overlooked. In the first instance, as secretary of the association, I do not wish to contradict anything that your correspondents have said, neither do I wish (to enter iuto any argument as to whether we should or should not have closed, but to deal with the first correspondent he should remember that the association was formed not only for the purpose of deciding whether the shops should close or open, but also with the object of having uniformity throughout the town ; jo that we should all be either open or closed and the public duly notified of our intentions. In this respect “Interested" must admit that for the past year or so the association has done good work. The trouble that arose at Easier was due to the fact that we would .vox all close ; the executive. therefore, had no alternative if it wished to notify the public ■ one way or the other. I have said that we " woulJ not all close," admitting that the "would nets’ ’ were very much in the minority (I will deal with these a little later on), the fact remains that we would not all agif-e to close and in fairness to other business men, many dealing in the same Hues, this "weak-kneed" association decided to open and at any rate make the town appear as though we were all working harmoniously together, not thinking, 1 contend, that publicity was to be given to its (weak or wise 0 action. And now one point to "Interested too," who upholds the shops open voter. May I ask whether these industrious advocators of work were to be found working on their premises on the day. they voted us to open, ok DID Tl I! ■: V XA K E XHK HOLIDAY xhi-mski.vks r I mention this because '‘lnterested loo" brings principle and war sentiment into his argument; is there any principle in this action ( I fear not ; besides who is it most readily responds to the call of the poor, responds to the Belgian Relief carnivals, etc. It is generally found that the young workers pay readily and willingly, whilst some of our more moneyed men con sider what lines they can further increase the piice on, and attribute it to the war. "Interested loo" must on no account briug principle iuto his argument again; if he does so, his side must set a' belter example. And now to deal with the association. I would suggest that our little organisation be reformed by members who will agree to abide by the ruling vole of the majority, and I think at least 99 per cent, of our local business houses will to see the value of timely advertisements of forthcoming holidays. The association can then publish a list of its members to which the holiday notices in future will apply. The membership fee has amounted to about is 6d per annum, which most business men will admit is well spent. This, however, can only be carried on by the joint action of our local business houses. —I am, etc., Charles Simmons.