Sunday Newspapers Legislation

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30767, 3 June 1965, Page 3

Sunday Newspapers Legislation

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 2. The Government today brought down legislation to allow the publication, distribution and sale of Sunday newspapers.

An amendment to the Shops and Offices Act, 1955, idds newspapers to the list of exempted goods which may be sold in a shop at any time, regardless of any other law or award requiring the shop to be closed.

At present, regulations under the act allow newspapers to be sold or exposed for sale on Sundays only if they were on sale to the public no later than 7 p.m. the previous day. A companion amendment — to the Police Offences Act, 1927—has been referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. It extends a present exemption allowing persons employed in preparing, printing and publishing a daily newspaper to work in or in view of a public place on Sundays to those thus employed by any newspaper. The exemption will cover not only preparing printing and publishing but also selling or delivering.

While providing for Sunday newspapers, the Police Offences Amendment Bill also removes other anomalies in Sunday trading laws. Professional photographers will be able to take photographs in or in view of a public place on Sundays. Tradesmen tinkering with their own homes will no longer risk prosecution: it will be an offence to work at one’s trade or. calling in. or in view of, any public place only if one works for gain or reward. Another amendment makes it clear it is not an offence to keep open on Sundays any premises for the purpose of a concert or an entertainment approved by a local body. Provided sales of plants, shrubs or trees—or any parts of them—are made from the premises or place where they are grown, such sales in or in view of a publie place on Sundays become lawful.