THE HOLIDAY.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 March 1919, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

"Sir,—The Tradesmen's Association have decided to close their shops all day on St. Patrick's Day on account of a monster free picnic being given to the whole of the children of the district on that day. The Hibernian Sports Club is spending a rather large sum of money in liberal prizes for hoys and girls, and in filling the day up thick with those things tnat delight the juvenile mind. I am more than surprised to see that two other shopkeepers are advertising that they will open their shops on that day and keep them open until 1 p.m., so that whoever works for those two firms will he debarred from taking part in helping to cater for the great children's event. Several people have said that they cannot understand why two shopkeepers should try to do anything that would tend to deprive the children of receiving a free sports and picnic. I don't put it down to the shopkeepers not being able to afford to close; why are they keeping open when all others close? If it hadn't Ibeen for the children I should not have taken any notice, but some people don't care about children or anybody else so long as they can grab the almighty dollar, as Bradford said money and beasts get attention, but the child is nowhere. I suppose they think it good /business to sneak half a day while all the other shops are closed, but do the public want or ladmire that sort of business? ■—Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., FATHER.