RETAIL FRUITERERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 5

RETAIL FRUITERERS.

AITD EARLY CLOSING. OBJECTIONS COMING FORWARD. WILL HIT RETURNED MEN. Objections to a movement on foot in the city to close -the fruiterers' shops at 7 p.m. every evening were aired this morning to a "Star" reporter by several shopmen in the trade. They stated that signatures were-now-being obtained to a petition in support of early closing., Several people who had signed this were under tSie impression, when attaching their signatures that it was only to operate for the winter months, and since having found out that this is not so, and that the period suggested is for the whole year, they are anxious to retrace tlieir steps, but are.in a quandary how to proceed. Hindu hawkers are also alleged to have been invited to append their names to the , .petition. This is strongly objected to, particularly by a number of returned men .who have been placed in the business by the Repatriation Board. Further, the soldiers themselves state that early closing would mean disaster to their businesses. For instance, in.the case of those with scant knowledge of the trade difficulty -will be experienced in disposing of fruit such as bananas before they are unfit to sell. It will mean, said one of these men thie morning, tfiat the enterprises will fall back on the bands of the Repatriation Department. Also fruiterers from the outskirts of the city are being invited to shgn the petition, despite the fact that, as -the objectors allege, they practically rely on day time trade to make a success of tlieir businesses. "What about the man with a business at the entrance to a picture theatre, who does substantial business in the evening when moving picture patrons are rushing off to the theatre?" asked another, and in reply added: "Early closing would operate unfairly so far as he is concerned." It is understood that those against the petition are going to take steps to enlist support from others concerned in the j fruit industry.