Cook Is.

Small Traders In

Form Retailers’ Association

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Sept. 2.

ON August 4, independent retail traders of Rarotonga convened a meeting in the Avarua Court-room. Twelve persons attended, four of whom were Europeans —Messrs. Gladney, Watson, Warren and Webb. Mr. Watson reminded those present that the success and security of the independent trader rests largely on co-operative action and suggested that there was a sufficient number of them

to form an association. After discussion it was decified to organise the Rarotonga Independent Retailers’ Association. Mr.

John Taripo and Mr. J. H. Webb were elected chairman and secretary respec tively.

The association is mainly the outcome of the repeated attempts by the larger business houses to force the retailers — often one-man owned and managed con cerns —to close at the same hours as themselves. The matter has already been brought up on two occasions in the Is lands Council, its sponsor being at the same time European representative and a partner in one of the firms interested!

But so far no official ruling has been given regarding business hours.

From time immemorial small stores have remained open until 8 and 9 at night and it is correct to say that local con ditions practically necessitate their so doing, particularly in the outer villages.

The majority of natives leave home early in the morning for their plantations, re turning again towards dusk, and it would be unfair to expect these people to regu late their lives to suit the convenience of a small number of the community who are, in any case, indebted to the former for their livelihood.

Last year, when the first move was made against the small stores, the latter presented a petition to the Resident Com missioner signed by 1,400 people, protest ing against any such action.