After-hours list likely to increase

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 3

After-hours list likely to increase

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, October 1. The report of the committee appointed to review the list of goods which may be sold outside regular business hours has recommended the addition of several items.

The report, published ; today, said that the • committee unanimously agreed that no item 'should be deleted from the existing list, and • that several should be added. The committee agreed that excessive extensions to the list would give rise to increased prices, and could lead to the erosion of the principle of the 40-hour week. “The evidence from several sources showed clearly that the work of enforcing the existing law puts officers of the department in a difficult situation,. where they become subject at times to offensive behaviour from vendors or from members of the public. The opinion was expressed by some parties that magistrates imposed very’ low penalties, apparently when they did not think the offence worthy of a penalty which would discourage it,” the report said. “The committee is agreed that the task of the department in administering the law is difficult, and that the penalties under the Shops and Offices Act 1955 are not sufficient to prevent a beach of law.” The report said that the committee agreed to add: Pantyhose; 1 Diesoline and kerosene: : Remove the restriction on frequency of publication, and restriction in time on sale in the current list of magazines and periodicals;

Toothpaste and toothbrushes; Fresh fish, and fresh shellfish sold by the owner of a registered fishing boat holding a fishing permit, or by another person appointed by the owner, as long as it is sold directly from the boat at the place where the boat is usually secured or beached; All foods except alcoholic drinks, fresh and frozen meat, and fresh and frozen fish other than fresh fish sold from a boat; All paints, thinners, stains, varnishes and similar surface coatings; Plants, shrubs, trees, seedlings, seeds, including grass seed, corms and tubers, including seed potatoes; Manures, fertilisers, pest and weed sprays, and other preparations; Toilet, soap; Cut flowers; Building supplies and handyman’s requisites; Films. “In the view of the committee the new list prdposed represents a substantial, although in the view of the majority not excessive, extension, particularly in food, and such extension will regularise a number of illegal practices.” The Minister of Labour (Mr Faulkner) said that he intended to study the report before making any recommendation to the Government.