Easter trading

The article Kapiti allows Easter Sunday trade (Dec 12) didn’t provide some basic background information relating to the Kapiti Coast District Council’s (KCDC) decision.

The KCDC called for submissions on Easter Sunday trading. A total of 239 submissions were received, with 75 (31 per cent) supporting trading and 164 (69 per cent) opposing. One of the submissions against trading contained 326 signatures.

The council’s strategy and policy committee prepared a report for the full council’s consideration, with alternative recommendations, one in favour of trading, the other against. Subsequently, at a full council meeting, the decision was made to approve Easter Sunday trading. This decision rode roughshod over the views of a substantial majority of submitters.

Councillors Benton, Buswell, Cardiff, Holborrow, Howson, M Scott and Vining voted in favour of allowing Easter Sunday trading, while councillors Cootes and Elliot voted against. Mayor K Gurunathan abstained. In relation to the mayor’s position on the matter I am reminded of the maxim ‘‘Not to decide is to decide’’.

Business and retail interests with their promotion of consumerism have prevailed in this matter.

I say shame on the councillors who voted for the proposal against the substantial majority of submitters; also shame on the mayor for sitting on the fence and not taking a stand, one way or the other. JOHN H. ROBERTS Waikanae