The Patea Mail. Established 1875. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1883. A REASON FOR DULLNESS.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1029, 2 May 1883, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Established 1875. WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1883. A REASON FOR DULLNESS.

One reason why things are so dull in Patea is the habit people have of sending away for almost everything they require. This practice tends to depress trade and discourage enterprise. In-, stead of supporting each other, and so acting on a true co-operative principle, we have tradesmen who send to Wellington or Wanganui for ordinary requirements. These could often be obtained cheaper in Patea, to say nothing of the carriage and other charges which have to be added to the original cost. Several cases have lately come under our notice, where goods which have been ordered from Wanganui might have been obtained more advantageously in Patea. Not long since a shopkeeper sent to that place for a ledger, and a week or two after he happened to he in Mr Kenworthy’s shop, and casually asked the price of a similar book. Great was his astonishment to learn that what he paid £2 os for in Wanganui, he could have procured for £2 in the local shop. It is the same with almost everything else. People imagine that because (hey send their money away to dealers in large towns, they can import articles much cheaper than they can be bought here, but we are convinced they are mistaken. Our own business suffers perhaps more than any other in the place from this practice of outside. A few weeks ago we solicited an order for printing some billheads, and a day or two after we learned that the order had been given to a Wellington traveller for 5000. at a cost of £5. We would have gladly done the work for £4, and done it as well. The fact is that the place is overrun with travellers of all kinds, They come around, and, with that bland manner gjiich is proverbial with bagmen ; persuade people that they can do things so much cheaper than anybody about the town pan. “Give me the order and I’ll do it cheaper than anybody else possibly can. Our large business enables us to buy so much better, you know, than these little storekeepers can.” This and a hundred other arguments of a similar nature lead the unsophisticated tradesman to imagine that he is effecting a good stroke of business in dealing with the foreigner, while as a matter of fact he is merely the victim of a seductive manner and specious arguments. For the sake of the trade and prosperity of the place, therefore, we ask our business people to support each other. Before encouraging these travellers, let them enquire if what they are in heed of cannot be obtained in town, and, if not, it is then time enough to make a bargain with outsiders. For ourselves, we undertake to supply our customers as cheaply and quite as well as any Wanganui or Wellington firm can, We buy in the best market, and on as good terms as our neighbours, and there is no reason why we should not be able to compete with them. What we grumble at is that we never have the opportunity of competing. These peripetatic travellers turn up at odd moments, and scoop in the orders by a process known only to themselves. But we are snre that the arguments used are the reverse from the true state of things. It is the same with almost all the trades in town. There are articles, of course, which must be obtained from outside, but, for goodness sake, let us keep what money we can in the place. It is scarce enough in all conscience. Besides, it is very discouraging, after capital has been invested in any business to see legitimate employment for it sent outside the district without just cause. Patea tradesmen have the matter of their prosperity greatly in their own hands, and our advice is that instead of being cajoled into giving orders to outsiders they should first enquire if their requirements cannot be supplied as cheaply from among themselves. That is but a reasonable request.