THE HALE HOLIDAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 7

THE HALE HOLIDAY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Now that the people of New Plymouth have succeeded in carrying a poll which will have the effect of upsetting the existing order of business throughout the district, much to the detriment of the farming community, they are preparing to adapt themselves to new conditions, and have fixed on Friday as the future market day. In fixing ,on Friday, has the farmer been considered, or his opinion sought? Qf course not. It would seem he is regarded by the townspeople only as a lamb to be enticed to town, there to be fleeced and bled at their own/convenience. Having been so successful in defeating their own alleged object in bringing about a universal half-holiday, and in making confusion more confounded the tradespeople are only concerned at the probable loss to themselves the proposed change will entail. Siirely this is an admission that the change was ill advised, and not in the best interests - of the community. The tone adopted by at a recent meeting of the Ratepayers’ Association savours somewhat of adding insult to the farmers’ intelligence, after causing injury to his business. Do Messrs. Carter and Co. seriously think that country people can be gulled by their offering a few special bargains on a Friday which would have to be paid for, with interest, the following week? If these tradesmen can afford to give presents, or bribes, an uneasy feeling arises in one’s mind that their profits are not in accord with the present financial stringency. Further, we know how prone tradespeople are to seize on any pretext to offer bargain sales and the doubtful gains obtained by the public. Hpwever, the sublime is almost. reached in the proposal to inaugurate the first Friday market day by running picture shows and pierrot stunts, and so lure the hard-hearted farmer away from his duties. If headgear such as the pierrots : ~ect must be worn on that auspicious occasion, by all means let the tradespeople wear them. Only, in the event of their efforts at buffoonery not drawing a satisfactorily large and appreciative audience, let them remember that the country children were at school gathering, we hope, a little of that wisdom which the people of New Plymouth seem to have so recklessly discarded.

Seriously, Sir, if altered conditions have to be met let the town meet the country on sane business lines, and first decide on a market-day most suitable for all concerned. After all, it is the farmer who will find it hardest to make his work and business arrangements coincide with conditions. In today’s issue you say, “If business is to be maintained and devel&ped the interests of customers, especially country customers, must be considered before the interests of sport.” This is sound reason, but in the interest of farmers it should have been written and reiterated by you weeks ago. Country residents will not soon forget the scant consideration given them on this occasion, and will not be found falling over each other in their eagerness to lick up the sop which it is proposed to ladle out to them as a fitting feast to mark the inauguration of the Friday market-day.— I am, etc./ S. VICKERS. Omata, sth May.