SHOPPING HOURS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 47, 5 December 1945, Page 2

SHOPPING HOURS

IN THE MELTING POT POSITION IN ASHBURTON “In the melting pot,” was how representatives of various branches of business in Ashburton this morning described the position about closing on Saturday mornings. They were borne out in this description of the position by the representative of the Labour Department (Mr C. J. Brooks). Mr Brooks said nothing had been gazetted about closing on Saturday mornings. His interpretation of the position was that shops could start closing on Saturday mornings immediately and that employees should be paid time a half for hours worked in excess of 40. There was nothing to prevent establishments which employed no labour except that of the owner remaining open on Saturday mornings. There was a feeling abroad that from Friday night until Monday morning was: too long for butchers to remain closed, and there was a move afoot to have them close for half a day during the week and remain open on Saturday mornings. There are various other interpretations among retailers in Ashburton about what should be done in regard to closing on Saturdays. One is that the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill only gives the Arbitration Court power to grant closing if application is made, otherwise the position remains unchanged until June 30. The Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Drapers’ Federation has no official information, but is expecting it very shortly. A grocer said that in his qp-inion employees could be worked on Saturday mornings until June 30, provided their aggregate weekly working hours did not exceed 40. This would involve staggering of hours through the week. “It *is a pity the whole business could not have been left until after Christmas,” he said-. “With the holiday rush almost on us, it is very unsatisfactory to have this thing thrust on us.’

CHRISTCHURCH DECISIONS CONSIDERATION FOR PUBLIC (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 4. “Generally speaking, retailers have f'hown consideration for the convenience of the public and most will remain open on Saturday mornings until Christmas at least,” said Mr H. F. Rutland, secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, announcing decisions on the question for the principal retailer groups in Christchurch. Drapers have 1 decided to remain open on Saturday mornings until after December 22. Butchers have announced their intention to serve the public on Saturdays until the final operation of the scheme hae been arranged. Independent grocers’ shops will be closed on Saturdays as from December 29, but chain store branches have arranged to continue Saturday trade by shortening the hours of work on a roster system during the week, thereby keeping within the 40-hour week. Tobacconists, florists and fruiterers will remain open in the meantime and booksellers (as 1 distinct from stationers) have decided to close on Saturdays after Christmas. Departmental chain stores, are awaiting the decision of their directors. The only group so far to decide in favour of closing on Saturday mornings, immediately are the hardware merchants.

INVERCARGILL POSITION (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Dec. 4. Beginning next month the majority of the retail shops in Invercargill will observe a five-day 40-hour week. For the remainder of this month the usual hours will be observed, except that there will be no late night on Friday, December 28, as the shops l will remain open on Christmas Eve until 10 p.m. Gi’ocers will open on Saturday mornings after the New Year, but no decision has yet been reached whether tobacconists will observe the five-day week. Butchers have closed for some time, so that after January 1 the only shops likely to be open on Saturday mornings are those of grocers, tobacconists and fruiters.