BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION WANTS MONDAY HOLIDAY

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 90, 9 October 1953, Page 5

BUSINESSMEN'S ASSOCIATION WANTS MONDAY HOLIDAY

LETTER RE POLL The forthcoming poll, to be held on October 31st, to decide what day is to be observed in Taupo as the statutory weekly closing day, is the subject of a letter to the Taupo "Times" from Mr C. S. Currie, Hon. Secretary of the Taupo Businessmen's Association. Mr Currie states t£at the Association wishes to make clear itis reasons for asking for a definite vote for Monday, his letter continuing as follows: — "It is unanimously agreed that employees and employers are entitled to two consecutive days holiday in each week, as is the case aL most throughout the whole country. Taupo is rather unique in that, being largely a tourist resort, its population at Christmas time and other holiday periods more than double with an influx of several thousands of visitors and ratepayers. "As has always been the custom these visitors are able to arrive in Taupo on Friday nights and during Saturdays, and are able to shop and stock up with fresh goods for the weekend without having to purchase these previously and bring such goods with them. Just what this means to the income of our town, and the bearing on the ecnomy of Taupo, isi quite obvious and is a serious consideration, particularly when we realise to what extent local amenities are lacking for the accommodating and convenience of these visitors, as well as for our permanent residents. "Business people at present are concerned in trying to encourage residents to shop locally and thus keep our money in our own town, and the more money we can induce visitors to spend locally the better for the future of Taupo. During the past Uiree years Taupo's resident population has doubled and its shopping area has increased immensely. "So we ask the electors to vote for Monday as holiday, and allow us to remain open on Saturday for the convenience of visitors and the local public alike. So far as the large proportion of our residents who have Saturday as a holiday are concerned, we feel they must appreciate being able to hop on the Saturday. And this also applies to our regular customers and visitors from neighburing towns, mills and stations. "We would point- out that very little in the way of fresh supplies reaches Taupo before Tuesday morning each week and we deem Monday to be the logical choice for holiday. The idea of a mid-week holiday is antiquated and simply gives housewives the job of shopping twice in each week for a closed day. Five months ago an unofhcial poll was conducted^ on this question and just on 400 residents voted. Of these, two thirds voted for Monday and one third for the remaining five days on) the voting sheets and we are certain that Monday is the day to suit the best interests of all concerned."