EVERY MAN TO HIS TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 134, 14 May 1883, Page 2

EVERY MAN TO HIS TRADE.

(TO THE EDITOR OP THR STANDARD') Sir, — That the times are not good just now, I think will admit of no contradiction ; anl this reminds mi of a matter I have often thought; of bringing tinder your notice for the kind consideration cf your numerous readers. It is an axiom " that every man has a right to live by his craft ; " and it is with a view ot pressing this upon gen?ral notice, and to indues the public to yiv • every man a chance ot living by his particular calling, that I am writing: this. Every town is benefited by the number of different tradesmen who Fettle m it, but how can these men, who have each learnt his trade, prosper, if one or two concerns endeavour to grasp every thing to themsnlves. I will not disguise from you that I am writing against what are cilleti "general stores," and I think every man who knows a business m whatever line and follows it, will endorsß my remarks. The saddle r, the tinsmith, thd druggist, th- cabinetI iraker, the ironmonger, the draper, the grocer, the tailor, has a right, when^ he settles m a town, to live by his calling, and this he cannot do, while these no' descript men who have "general stores " pretend to carry on every one's business, and are masters of n^ne. How often is it the case if a person wants a new saddle, he goes to the store and expends pounds on it ; if this saddle wants mending, he then takes it to the saddler he should have bought it of, and expends a few shillings m repairs. The same with the tinsmith; they $0 aad buy the tinware new &t a general store ; and when there is a hole m the bottom of a tin vessel or a leaky teapot, they take it to the ;. man who should have soli it, and .grumble at paying a few trumpery pence- for mending what he did not sell. If a man keeps a druggist's Bho \ and endeavours to Rnpply every medicine that is wanted T don't think it is too much to ask the public to assist him to follow his calling, and so make himself still more useful gecerally. Medicines ot any kind, do not ccme within the scopo of a general dealer. If you should do me the favor to insert these remarks, X trust they will commend themselves to your readers, who may see things m a light they have not done before, and so be induced to distribute their custom m different articles, according to each man's calling or business. — I am, &c, Arthur Rbminqtox.