EARLY CLOSING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 275, 20 November 1899, Page 2

EARLY CLOSING.

(To the Editor.)

Si r> _l wa s very interested by your ais tide 'iv Monday's issue under the heading ' "Early closing in Sydney," and must say as a small shopkeeper I am entirely in favour of early closing, and contend that just the same volume of business can be done from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with the exception,, perhaps, of Saturday) as if shops are kept open until nearly midnight. It has been t conclusively proved by the butchery trade ' that it is possible to close at a decent hour ; , and get through as much business, and the stock in this trade Is perishable. There is f no doubt that legislation must,be resorted to, as there are always some -'Individuals . who Will work their employ ees: both day and night. Public opinion may not yet be ripe for a compulsory 6 o'clock law, neither was it entirely ripe for compulsory halfholiday, yet the law works well, and I am ' certain there are very few shopkeepers who are not now perfectly in accord with the arrangement. In a certain suburb of Auck- ■ land there was a Movement about twelve j months ago to close at 6 p.m. I was deput- 1 ed to wait upon shopkeepers and ascertain r their views. All I visited were in favour of early closing except one, and he made a point blank refusal to fall Into the views of the majority, and in consequence stores are; kept open late. Quito recently another* store has opened, and is kept open .until 10. or later, and the result win be the majority will have to do so also. No, nothing bill; legislation will work, and Sydney is moving iin the right direction.—l am, etc., &_$ SMALL .SHOPKEEPER.