A PLEA FOR THE DRAPERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 311, 8 November 1879, Page 2

A PLEA FOR THE DRAPERS.

To (he Editor of th Walsarapa Daily, Sir,— I would wish to call the attention of the ladies and public of Masterton to the very long hours they, through their habits, are causing our drapers' shops to remain open, At seven o'clock in the morning some of the drapers are prepared for the business of the day, to which they feel it a pleasure to attend until seven o clock at night, and on Saturdays until ten or eleven o'clock, knowing that the morrow will be a day of rest. These hours are sufficiently long for well ordered people to make their purchases, and yetthere are a few who make it a practice throughout the week of doing their shopping after seven o'clock until ten o clock, and even later, If they will consider and ask themselves, what time have these business men to enjoy the fresh air, relaxation and change ? It matters not how late cusfcomei'3 may come, although weary, yet they are expected to appear pleasant and genial, to put on a smile, and even to laugh, Thus they force themselves to be "like patience on a monument, smiling at grief." From seven in the morning till ten at night are fifteen hours. Can such a lengthy time in business be a pleasure ? Is it not a yoke of slavery ? Let the public show a feeling of sympathy and humanity, and I would ask the ladies of Masterton to use their influence amongst their acquaintances, so as to determinedly set their faces against night shopping, and thus at once do away with this evil and unkindnesa to their fellows. I have, &c., _____ Fresh Air,