Editorial: Talk on Easter needed

Easter is a busy time for Rotorua,our shops should be open

Rotorua, we need to talk about Easter.

For years and years we've debated the issue of Easter trading - should shops be able to open on holidays?

For Rotorua it would seem to be a no-brainer - of course our retailers should be allowed to open. Who is the Government to tell them they should stay closed on one of the busiest weekends of the year? It's particularly galling to see shops in other centres like Taupo given exemptions to open because they are tourist destinations.

Ahem.

If that's the criteria then Rotorua definitely qualifies.

Yes, I sympathise with those who oppose Easter trading because it means they can't spend the day at home with family. But if you work in retail or hospitality working weekends and holidays is part of the territory, as it is in many other industries (including the media).

There are those who oppose Easter trading on religious grounds. People are entitled to their beliefs but do those beliefs have any place in laws governing all?

I can understand why people oppose Easter trading - I just don't think their reasons justify the ban, especially when exemptions are applied elsewhere including the town just down the road.

As revealed in today's Rotorua Daily Post, a recent survey of Rotorua residents found 79 per cent agreed that "shops and other hospitality or entertainment businesses should be able to trade on Good Friday and Easter Sunday if they want to".

That's a strong result that our lawmakers should take note of.