OPTIMISTIC NOTE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 6

OPTIMISTIC NOTE

CROWDS IN HAMILTON STEADIER BUSINESS IN SHOPB TRAFFIC RETURNS TO NORMAL With theflrst feeling of apprehension having died away in the minds of the people and a steadier tone prevailing, evident in Hamilton last night, when crowds comparable with those prior to the outreak of hostilities thronged the streets The partial lifting of the petrol restriction also seemed to have played a part in assisting the return of business to normal, for many more cars were in the town, and once again parking spaces were at a premium The manager of one departmental store stated this morning -that, although business had not been restored to the state of a few weeks ago, there appeared to be a definite uplift and inquiries were far more numerous that on the previous Friday night The steadier atmosphere was was also evident among a number of the grocery stores where the purchasers, having become more reconciled to the rationing of essential foodstuffs as a necessary wartime measure, seemed to have forgone any plans to secure more than their quota. Inquiries for sugar and tea were more reasonable than in the early days of the hostilities, said one grocer this morning, and many people who had eliminated certain lines from the purchases during the first week appeared to have returned to their normal orders.

The brighter tone was also more evident this morning, when a large crowd was present in Victoria Street and the volume of traffic reached its normal proportions.