THE HALF HOLIDAY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 332, 13 January 1937, Page 4

THE HALF HOLIDAY

Resident Wishes Council To Take Some Action.

(To the Editor).

Sir, —I was pleased to see that an

ex-Mayor ot Stratford in Mr W. P. Kirkwood, has seen fit to point out in your paper the blunder committed in making the change to the Saturday holiday. Mr Kirkwood is a man with business experience in Australia and New Zealand. H e has what is more, kept a close eye for a period of many years on the progress of Stratford. His opinion is backed by real experience and he is a man not afraid to give and defend his opinions.

At the time of the change certain, firms stood out. Others were not sure. Surely this in itself is grounds enough for the matter to be 'again considered! Where is the Mayor and his Councillors? Is it not his task to watch over the affairs of the town? He should have attempted to get some real agreement.

The Statutory holiday is fixed in this town by a poll of the electors at the time of th© municipal elections and Thursday is that day. It would appear that in its lack of interest the Council showed weakness. It allowed certain firms to close the town against the expressed wislf of the ratepayers without making any attempt to discover who wanted the change. Every ratepayer, and not the business man, has an interest in what day shall be the holiday. The action of the Council, or rather lack of interest, was contrary to democratic principles and definitely opposed to the principles of our Labour Government. The majority ot townspeople had shown at the poll that they wished to do business on the Saturday. A minority o business people were allowed to gb against that majority ot ratepayers. Surely no Mayor should allow this, especially in view of the difference of opinion shown? Let the Mayor put ths Saturday question on the agenda for next Council meeting and have tile matter thrashed out fairly and impartially. Perhaps this would mean a poll. Still, the Council would have done its work. We had a poll to decide a £3OOO loan for baths but a matter of many times that sum in business and land values has been allowed to drift. WHY!-—I am, etc., BUSINESS RATEPAYER.