SHOP-CLOSING ON DECLARATION DAY.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 5 August 1915, Page 4

SHOP-CLOSING ON DECLARATION DAY.

(To the Editor)

Sir. —I cannot restrain myself from publicly expressing my disappointment and disgust at the action of a number of so-called tradespeople in keeping their premises open for business on the afternoon of “Declaration Day.” It seems to be that the preaching of leaders ’O'f thought absolutely waste their time'in exhorting traders of this .classic view things from a higher piine.. The assertions made;by more than one speaker at yesterday’s function sounded hollow mockery. Patriots, fpr r sooth! Is this the new pedigree of patriotism—to allow your fellow-work-er-to proclaim the everlasting gratitude of the community to those, who are endeavouring to hold the G o> -

back from breaking through Taihape property, while some of the owners of that property dig their hands into theunseen pocket the while? If tradesmen cannot give units of the community a Joad as to the fitness of things, then pray who are we to appeal to? 1 have a list of those who so far forgot themselves, and it pains me to think that it includes two or three of the oldest-established- premises. It is Taihape’s ill-fate that the majority -of them arc new traders to this town, and I can only conclude that they have come from places ■ where the ideate preached yesterday are unknown. —I am, etc.,

H. D. BENNETT.