SHOPPING HOURS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 117, 23 April 1954, Page 1

SHOPPING HOURS IN TAUPO

COUNCIL DISCUSSES EFFECT OF POLL The matter of closing hours observed in Taupo, which has roused considerable interest recently, was discussed at the Borough Council meeting on April 14. Cr. C. J .Vedder raised the matter of an advertisement which had appeared in the the daily press stating that certain shops, not specified, would open on Easter Saturday- and each succeeding Saturday and close on Thursdays. He asked whether the Council had had any legal advice on the matter, and whether or not the poll held last year, when there was a two to one majority in favour of Saturday closing, had the effect of automatically revoking the magisterial permission previously obtained by shops in Taupo, enabling them to open on Saturdays, provided they closed on Thursdays? Cr. Vedder thought that the matter having been decided, by a poll asked for by the business community, in a democratic manner, it was not right for a small pressure group to bull-doze the public into something contrary to the duly held poll. He thought the Council should get a legal opinion on the matter. The Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, stated that councillors knew his views on the matter of Saturday closing, for he had made no secret of his opinion that in a tourist resort such as m m, m, m,

— — — — — — _ — M » n ■ *9 B Ra Em M ■ Taupo shops should be available on Saturdays. But that was not the point at issue. The Council had held a poll, duly asked for, and it had resulted in a majority vote in favour of a five-day shopping week with a late night on Fridays, and he agreed that, the matter having been settled in a democratic manner, the community and business people must be prepared to abide by that decision. Cr. K. E. Young agreed. He felt strongly that the Council should not be bull-dozed by a small pressure group. Saturday closing enabled organised sports to be played on Saturdays instead of on Sundays .The Golf Club, for example, had already planned all its organised competitions for Saturdays. Cr. Stanley also agreed and thought the Council should look into the matter. Cr. Vedder moved, seconded by Cr. W. G. Morris, that the council write to the Minister of Labour asking for a clarification of the position. The motion was carried without dissent.