CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1921, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE HALF HOLIDAY’

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Mr. S. Vickers had a letter in your Issue of the 7th inst. dealing with the Saturday half holiday question, and more particularly with: a meeting held on Tuesday last to consider the best means possible to make the change of the market day from Saturday .to Friday as little felt as possible. From Mr. Vickers’ letter we gather that he thinks the business people of New Plymouth have been responsible for the change of /holiday. As a matter of fact, they have had a very limited say in the matter, as the employees and the workers (according to a speaker at the meeting) were going to vote for it to a anan. The result of the poll bears out that contention, but surely the action of the business people should be commended for seeking to popularise Friday and to make the change with a minimum of inconvenience to shoppers. Tho trades-people as a whole are not concerned that by changing the market day it will mean loss of business; on the other hand, a continuous week without a break will be conductive to more business, and the better handling of it. Purchasers that regularly visit New Plymouth from outside, will find it a distinct advantage, and our country friends will have the choice of two days, Friday market day, and Saturday till noon. A part of Mr. Vickers’ letter says “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 to all concerned,” and with tliat sentiment the town is heartily in accord, and it is the very thing we are trying to do. If we have not adopted methods which Mr. Vickers approve, we shall only be too pleased to have his hearty co-operation in putting forward some better metfliods of popularising Friday. Bat in ‘the meantime our propaganda will proceed and by demonstration, and music if needs be, we shall seek to usher in Friday as the market day. I can quite understand that Mr. Vickers will despise any effort put forward to popularise it, by bargains and sales, etc., but it is well to remember that these things do appeal to some people, and business people may quite legitimately look upon the boosting of Friday as a good advertisement for themselves and for New Plymouth. We can only hope that at tho ©nd of a perfect day, when Mr. Vickers will be viewing the many bargains he has secured, he will think a little more generously of filie people who are trying to promote the interests of New Plymouth and the district in which he lives.—l am etc., C. CARTER.