CLOSING DAY POLL

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 92, 23 October 1953, Page 5

CLOSING DAY POLL

Sir, — I wish to endorse the remarks of "Business as Usual" in your last issue in support of Saturday closing. Mr Currie, on behalf of some of his business associates, did his best to bolster'up a very weak argument in favour of Monday closing, but surely the public will not allow themselves to be bulldozed into this. Mr Currie deplores the fact that Taupo people shop out of their own tov$i, but does not realise that by closing on any other day but Saturday he is giving them just that opportunity. Have housewives in Taupo considered the fact that should baking arrangements remain as present, and shops close on Monday, they will be without fresh bread for three consecutive days. The fact that Sunday is the: only day when all business is closed in Taupo compels sporting organisations to arrange all team sports for that day which certainly is; not in the best interests of the community. I am, etc., SATURDAY CLOSING EVERY TIME. Sir, — I should think most people, even the Businessmen's Association agree that their employees are entitled to two consecutive days holiday as they have practically everywhere else in the country. Why then endeavour to persuade the public that Monday is the better day? Having this day off, what

are the people concerned to do with it? There will be no organised sport that day, as Post Office, Banks, Mills, Ministry of Works, school teachers, carriers, builders and joinery workers, etc., will be working. Thus they cannot take part in cricket, bowling, tennis, golf, football, marching or other recreation. All the competition in these various sports is weakened on account of the absence of the shop employees, who no doubt would join up with one or more if they were free on Saturdays. Another point for shop-keeper parents and their staff to consider is that when their children have their holiday on Saturday, the parents are too busy to spend any time with them taking them to picnics or outings, and on Monday, when the parents would be free, children are at school. This applies to any midweek closing day, even as at present. Let us have Saturday closing. I am, etc.,

COMMON SENSE.