NEW BRIGHTON SHOP HOURS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29342, 22 October 1960, Page 12

NEW BRIGHTON SHOP HOURS

No Recent Move For Change

No action has been taken by anyone so far for an application to have Saturday opening of shops in New Brighton revoked, but the issue, is still a live one with the Shop Assistants’ Union and the Canterbury district council of the Federation of Labour. Both are opposed to the Saturday opening on the ground that it is against the 40-hour week for all workers. Inquiries were prompted this week by a letter to the editor of “The Press” from a South Brighton resident. Mr E. H. C. Barlett, who wrote: “I understand that Mr H. J. Thompson was to have given his decision long before now re the closing of the shops on Saturdays in New Brighton. Has someone higher up blocked him for political purposes because of the approaching election?”

Mr Thompson, who is a Stipendiary Magistrate and the Shops and Offices Exemptions Tribunal, indicated early this year that he did not regard New Brighton as a holiday resort within the meaning of the Shops and Offices Act. However, it is not the responsibility of the tribunal, nor has it the power, to institute its own proceedings. An application would need to be made to the tribunal for revocation of the exemptions granted by the tribunal and by magistrates before Mr Thompson’s appointment for the special purpose.

The Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court in Christchurch (Mr O. T. Grattan) confirmed that nothing was pending for hearing by the tribunal on Saturday opening in New Brighton. Neither the Canterbury district council of the Federation of Labour nor the Canterbury Shop Assistants’ Union contemplates any immediate application for revocation; but their officials say this has nothing to do with the election.

They are discussing Saturday trading generally and New Brighton shopping hours in particular with the Federation of Labour and the national officials of the union. It is also believed that there have been or are to be discussions with the Minister of Labour (Mr Hackett). Saturday trading except In essential services is contrary to the general policy of the federation. Minister In Favour The Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison), who has New Brighton in his electorate of Avon, has said quite definitely that he favours the Saturday opening of shops there. Any application for revocation of the authority would be strenuously opposed by the New Brighton District Business Association for a big capital outlay on the basis of continued Saturday trading would be involved. ■ Some Christchurch retail firms who have opened branches in New Brighton in "self-defence” would not be so concerned. The businessmen have not had to do anything but prepare for a case, and they have had the backing of their local opinion, as well as support from members of both political parties. New Brighton is unique, as it has had Saturday shopping for 40 years. But now the shopping is by tolerance, not by right, although most businessmen believed they had the right With so much at stake It is almost certain that if the expected move for revocation of the Saturday shopping comes about, a counter move will be to seek alteration to the legislation allowing the opening.