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Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 10, 21 November 1877, Page 3

TO Tffif EDITOJR. Sib.,— -I regret exceedingly that it is necessary to draw public attention to a breach or faith on the part of one of oar respected storekeepers of this township, and one which entails a great hardship (if not a decided wrong) on every other storekeeper and shopman m Foxton. Qn the ninth of June, 1876; an agreement was entered into by all storekeepers; here to close 'Tjheir places ,of business at Z p.m., except Mr J. W. Liddell, who though not signing this agreement; promised to close at the hoiyv stated, which promise he kept. A copy of the agreement I herewith enclose, and as I m the interests of the tradesmen and shopmen of this place, drew it and got it signed, you can imagine my surprise to find an adyer- ; .tiseihent m your paper of the 14th; Wgped^Frederick; K. Giowther, announcing that on Mondays and Thursdays: his shop would be open till 8

o'clock p.m.;- this too, without previously conferring with his fellow storekeepers on the matter. Tins advertisement had the' effect o£ arousing others who say they will keep op/m till any hour they think proper now that the agreement is broken. The consequence is that masters ■ and jacn aro no longer' enjoying the freedom which health and comfort' demand, but instead have to keep m prison -shut up from 8 m the morning till 8, 9, or 10 at night unable either to attend public meetings, concerts, prayer meetings, preachings or Anything else. Will that man who is the instigation of all this feel that he lias done no wrong"? Could those customers of Ms not send m their orders on a slip of paper and have their goods' sent out by train, or will he benefit anything- by his late hours when all other houses will follow suit or perhaps keep open even later than he? And will the profits or ■_.the supposed profits gained ..on Mondays and Thursdays recompense- him for the moral and physical wrong done to his fellow storekeepers P and- will the ;,public sympathize with his views and patronize, him the morje because he has cut off the^freedom of others from enjoying a pleasant hour or two'in the evenings of the fine summer weather P I think not. Should the gentleman referred to m this leSter feel himself aggrieved by-it, he will please to remember that I promised to attack him m this way, and I only hope that by? this or any other means early closing may soon again b s e. the rule and not the excepfcion,;as i»i my opinion long hours are not good for either -master, servant, or public^ •* * "•■' Apologising for tresspassing so largely oCyoul: space.—l am &c, ; F. Lotjdon/ ■ *9¥t\ }- •--'■."; ■■;-« ..': >,: ■■•■» Storekeeper. Foxtpn, Jl^ovember 15, 1877.. "*"