THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1921, Page 6

THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

ACTION OF STRATFORD (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Night. A meeting of Stratford shopkeepers was held last night, as the outcome of a move made by some of the retailers to form a Thursday Half-holiday Association. The meeting wa« not open to the Press, and a report supplied to-day states that about forty were present, and that they unanimously decided to work for the Thursday haff-holiday. A plan of campaign was decided upon and ample funds were guaranteed at the meeting. It was also resolved to nominate Messrs. W. Mclnnes and S. G. Rimmington for the forthcoming Borough Council election. A resolution was passed placing on record the meeting’s appreciation of Cr. W. 11. H. Young’s stand on the halfholiday question, and of the action/of those councillors who supported him. Mr. A. Rawles was appointed chairman of the association, and Mr. S. Sharp secretary. It is understood, that the conveners of the meeting were influenced in their action by the determined stand of the Eitham Thursday Half-holiday Association on the question, and particularly the latter’s efforts to capture some of the Stratford trade owing to Stratford now having the Saturday half-holiday. The Eitham Association, in the view of the Stratford retailer, sees the position of the- latter, who is now compelled by law to close on Saturday afternoons, whether he wants to or not, and has adopted a policy that is not very neighborly. Stratford business- people describe Eltham’s policy as a “hit below the belt.” If Stratford were not in the position of being closed on Saturday while Eitham is open, no exception would be taken to what would be legitimate trade competition, but in the present circumstances the attitude of the Eitham people is held to be in very bad taste, calculated to create a hostile feeling between the two towns, which would be unfortunate.