PETITION TO PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28347, 5 August 1957, Page 10

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT

Auckland Fruit Retailers . (New Zeaiana Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 4.

A petition tailing for the' withdrawal 1 of an Order-in-Coqncil which lists all fresh fruit ‘and vegetables as exempted goods, will be lodged in Parliament early this week by the Auckland Fruit and Vegetable Retailers’ Association. The association decided to do this after a meeting with six Auckland M.P.’s this morning. Outlining the association’s case the president (Mr R Marsh) said family fruit shops would be forced to open much longer hours to meet competition from private traders who had not previously stocked fruit and vegetables. “This will react unfavourably with the large section of fruiterers who employ labour jinder an a wand of 40 hours per week.” Mr Marsh said..

Last month, representatives of the National Federation of Fruit and Vegetable submitted their case opposing the Government’s action on exempted goods to the • Minister of Labour (Mr J. K. McAlpine). The Minister to*ld the federation they had the remedy in their own hands. He thought that if a good living could be made during the present hours, then he could see no reason for opening longer hours. Mr McAlpine suggested members could help by disciplining their own members and agreeing among themselves to abide by the award hours.