Minister’s support upsets

Press, 9 May 1983, Page 6

Minister’s support upsets

PA Wellington Support for Sunday trading by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Talbot, has upset the Shop Employees’ Association, which accuses him of “deliberately encouraging people to break the law.” Mr Talbot had also breached an assurance previously given by his Government, said the association’s secretary, Mr R. J. Campbell.

During a visit to Parnell Village, Auckland, on Thursday, Mr Talbot said he personally supported Sunday trading. His was not a lone voice in the Government on the subject, but he did not think he had enough support to get a change in legislation.

Mr Campbell said that when Saturday trading was introduced his association thought the public were given specific assurances

that this would not lead to Sunday trading.

“There is a mechanism in the present act for shops with a proper case to open. There are only a few applications and we have respected that law, even though we did not like it,” he said.

“We are developing a curious and dangerous habit in this country when it is becoming accepted behaviour

for Cabinet Ministers to support breaches of their own laws.

“If we have to fight Sunday trading, we will. In the meantime, we have called on the Labour Party to say unequivocally that it will not permit any further relaxation of trading laws when it becomes the government,” said Mr Campbell.