“ABSURD HOLIDAYS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 541, 19 December 1928, Page 6

“ABSURD HOLIDAYS”

BUSINESS INCONVENIENCED PROTEST AGAINST BANKS' “Absurd” was the term applied to the holiday arrangements fixed by Auckland banks for the Christmas and New Year periods, when a question came before the Chamber of Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr. H. T. Merritt, president of the chamber, said it had been brought under his notice that the banking institutions would close on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week. They would be open on Friday and Saturday, but would close again on Monday and the succeeding day. New Year’s Day. “This will mean that those who have taken large amounts of money over the week-end will have to keep it on the premises,” said Mr. Merritt. “The convenience of the commercial community has not been studied at all. The banks will be open when we are closed and closed when we are open.” Several Members: We should protest at once. The Chairman: We might recommend that the matter be taken up by the Associated Chambers. Voices: Telegraph at once. The Chairman: We certainly should. Mr. J. R. Rendall said the smaller shops, which did not have proper strong rooms, would have to carry large sums of money over the holidays. On the motion of the president, who characterised the holiday fixtures as absurd, it was decided to send a telegram to the Associated Chambers, asking that a strong protest be made to the Associated Banks, especially against closing on December 31.