SHOP MUST CLOSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 23, 28 January 1937, Page 8

SHOP MUST CLOSE.

EXEMPTION WANTED.

NEWMARKET FRUITERER.

APPLICATION DISMISSED,

A question of considerable importance to shopkeepers, particularly fruiterers and greengrocers, was decided by Mr. C. K. Orr Walker, S/M., in the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, when the magistrate dismissed an application made under tlio Shops and Offices Amendment Act. 1027. !>y Samuel Coleman, occupier of a fruiterer'* shop at 157, Broadway, Newmarket. The applicant asked for partial exemption from the closing hours which at present are required to be observed on the grounds that lie was a partially din- ■ ahled returned soldier, incapable of porforming heavy work, and that a substantial portion of hirs trade was done ill connection with the Rialto Theatre four doors away. He said he could not now carry on this trade under Die regulations. His overhead expenses were so heavy that he was unable to carry on unUvs lie was permitted to serve customers as in tlic past. In addition the percentage of waste would be much increased owing to the shorter hours. On behalf of the European Fruit and Vegetable Retail Traders" Association. Mr. l-\ VV. Schramm opposed the application. « Mr. V. W. (Jrieve. who represented the Department of Labour, said the Department could not recommend the application. Mr. Coleman appeared on his own behnlf. In opposing the application Mr. Schramm said it would be unfair to other shopkeepers in Newmarket and that it was not in the public interest that an extension should be granted, as the majority of shopkeepers had agreed hv requisition to the new hours adopted. In dismissing the application, Mr. Drr Walker said that to grant such an application would be unfair to other shopkeepers in the same business. The applicant had not satisfied him that it would be in the public interest that the hours should be extended. People could easily do their popping under the new restricted hours. "In these days the tendency ie to shorten hours rather* than to extend them," he added.