THE STRATFORD HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 164, 10 January 1912, Page 2

THE STRATFORD HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln your issue of this morning you publish a letter from Mr. Richards, secretary to our local Chamber of Commerce, in which he states that Stratford has declared for a "universal" Saturday half-holiday. I can scarcely imagine even the Stratford Chamber of Commerce presuming to dictate to the whole world, but suppose Mr, Richards meant "provincial" half-holiday. Now, Sir, I do n®t know wfyom Mr. Richards means when he says Stratford has declared. Might I presume to ask Mr. Richards to tell us who are Stratford? I think the tradespeople to a man are opposed to any change, and I have heard some even say that Mr. Richard's interference with the matter was quite pragmatical. Some of us imagine that the farmers should have some little say in the matter—that their wishes should be consulted. Saturday has been the farmers' day ever since I was a boy—possibly even before that. Why then should we break in upon a long-standing custom? Possibly Mr. Richards will tell us that it cannot possibly matter to the farmers which day he takes his holiday upon. If it does not matter to the farmers it should not matter to the tradesman. The whole matter lies in a nutshell. The-town is dependent upon the farmers. The farmers have become accustomed to Saturday as their half-holiday, and Mr. Richards wishes to break in upon the custom. Is it the part of a wise man to do so?—I am, etc., H. WILSON.