SMALL SHOPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 107, 7 May 1924, Page 8

SMALL SHOPS.

HOURS OF CLOSING. EXEMPTION APPLICATIONS. About a hundred small shopkeepers j applied to the Arbitration Court yesterday for exemption from the operation 'of the clause in the recent shop assi:iI tants' award fixing the hours of closing. I Allegations of grave hardships inevitably to be caused "small" tradesmen were I put forward by Messrs. Ostler, Mat- • thews, Imler. and other counsel. The 'granting of exemptions was opposed by j Mr. S. K. Wright, on behalf of stiop.i employing assistants, although he saii (hr-re was no wish to be harsh in tlic case of widows or where real hardship ! was likely to bo inflicted, and Mr. JusMice Frazer remarked that if the Court • granted exemptions too freely the shop- , I keepers who employed labour would any j (heir trade Mas being cut into by the i smaller men, who could keep open all j hours. Hie Honor further added that lit was just a question as to whether , ! there wern not too many shops. | ; "Ir. would be a curious idea of kind- : i ness t< say to a struggling person. "You '; must be ruined, because if we allowed ! you to keep op"n and make a living yon : would be taking advantage of men a 'little richer than yourself,'" remarked ! Mr. Ostler. i The Court reserved its decision in all j I claims. j