SATURDAY CLOSING

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25086, 18 January 1947, Page 8

SATURDAY CLOSING

NEW, BRIGHTON SHOPS TO REMAIN OPEN By 51 votes to 4, a meeting of shopkeepers at New . Brighton yesterday passed a resolution that the present trading hours at New Brighton remain as they were before the new award of the Court of Arbitration fixing Saturday closing was made. It was stated that New Brighton was a very busy town on Saturdays, and it would mean a great loss to the business people, and hardship and inconvenience to the public, if Saturday closing was enforced. “We do not want to break the Jaw, and I suggest that if we are to continue this protest, we send a deputation to the Government with a request that it treat the case as an industrial dispute to secure exemption from the law until the matter is finally settled, said Mr J. L. Boyd, in seconding the resolution. “I do not wish to speak against the motion,” said Mr Thorpe. “As a grocer I have the right to close on Saturdays, and will do so. I do not wish, however, to be antagonistic to the spirit of the meeting.” I have a petition to present to this meeting, signed by 66 shopkeepers of New Brighton stating that they wish to keep their shops open on Saturdays. They do not wish to antagonise ■the authorities, but they are prepared to fight the case and accept the responsibility.” said Mr D. A. Clarke. “A number Of these people say that more than 60 per cent, of the business is done on Saturdays. A number of them hre returned servicemen who have just started ami we .have a duty to fight for them,” he added. J It was also resolved that the businessmen and women of New Brighton appeal against the provisions of any award affecting them, and take steps to safeguard the interests of others not coming under any award. Messrs D. A. Clarke, J. L. Boyd, and H. J. Henry were appointed an action committee to make arrangements for dealing with the case. The meeting unanimously decided to make application to the Christchurch City Council that the statutory closing day for New Brighton be Wednesday, and that the petition signed by 66 shopkeepers be attached to the application.