A GOOD SUGGESTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3732, 20 December 1927, Page 1

A GOOD SUGGESTION.

“PAY-UP WEEK.”

An agitation is afoot in a North Island town to inaugurate a “Payup Week” prior to the Christmas holidays, with a view to inducing people to meet their obligations, and thus put more money into circulation,, besides giving their unhappy creditors a more joyful Christmastide. The agitation has much to commend it, for there is no doubt that if the suggestions made were carried out, the Christinas season would be a better one for all concerned. The debtor would feel all the happier for having liquidated a debt that would have to. be paid sooner or later, whilst the creditor would be gladdened at ‘the receipt of monies which otherwise would not have been paid for some time to come. If the matter is analysed it will be seen that the carry - ing out of the “Pay-up Week” suggestion would bring happiness to a large number, and would increase the prosperity of the town. As a matter of fact, if the “Pay-np Week” could be held more frequently than once a year, the community would be all the better for it. As it is, the good are penalised for the bad, inasmuch as the tradesman has to make provision for bad debts, and thus is compelled to increase the price of his wares. Perhaps one reason why a “Pay-up Week” is not held more frequently by the people themselves,' without waiting to be called upon, is because they are not encouraged sufficiency by the tradespeople themselves to pay more promptly. In many cases the actual cash purchaser is treated in exactly the same manner as the customer who dei sires a lengthy period of credit, with the result that the payer of cash becomes disgusted, and joins the ranks of the credit brigade. Not being altogether devoid of Dusiness acumen, he realises that he receives no concession for ,his prompt payments, it will pay him better to keep the tradesmen wait-' ing and utilise his capital in other channels. The cash purchaser, if he did but know it,. is a public benefactor, inasmuch as by circulating the ready cash he keeps the wheels of trade well lubricated, and enables them to run smoothly, besides saving the tradesmen unnecessary worry and expense. Another point that is worthy of attention at the hands of business men is the question of loyalty to each other, and to those who enable them to make a living and prosper. It is the worst of bad business, both for tho tradesmen and the town in which they reside, to at any time pass over any local institution which helps to build up the town in favour of a. foreign institution which does not spend a sixpence in their town in a lifetime. A moment’s reflection will serve to show that such a policy, if persisted in by all the inhabitants of a town (and why should the policy not be pursued if the tradesmen pursue it?) would spell ruination to all, the town included. Unity is strength the world over, in business as well as in other matters, and local patriotism is something well worth-carrying out. The credit system is bad, and results in a considerable portion of the profit that should be made by business Anns vasishing each year into thin air, to the detriment of the firms and the town in which they are situated. Anything, therefore, that will help to do away with the credit system is something that should be heartily supported. We hope the suggestion for a “Pay-up Week” will be taken up and carried into effect in this town. The result should be a happy Christmastide for all.