SHOP ASSISTANTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 77, 27 September 1918, Page 8

SHOP ASSISTANTS

REDUCTION IN. HOURS WANTED.

To-day Mr.' A. W. Croskery (president pro tern.) stated that the proposal, which originated in Wellington, for the formation of a Dominion Federation of Shop Assistants, had been taken up enthusiastically in other . centres, and judging by report© which had been received the movement would eventually be attended with every success. The local unions which decided to link up with the new organisation would hold a conference shortly, when rules and regulations would be drafted.

"Immediately on tho return, of the Prime Minister to New Zealand," stated Mr.- Croskery, "the federation will .ask him to put into operation the promise he made before he left—namely, that he would give every consideration to the proposals made to him for the amendment of the Shops and Offices Act." Mr. Crockery stated • that recently, many changes in the closing hours had taken place in some centres of tho Dominion. In quite a number of towns shops closed at 5 p.m. on ordinary days and 12 noon on . Saturday, and in "others at 5.30 o'clock and 12.30 o'clock respectively. Jus,fc recently one large town in New Zealand decided to wipe!' out completely the late trading night. In view of ail this, it was possible that' the federation would urge the appointment of a, Commission which could bring down a comprehensive report on closing hours, ac had been done in New South Wales. Every ' effort would be made by the federation to secure a reduction in hours for a large body- of' shop assistants who were now working, without any redress, the' extreme number of 52 hours per week, and had been doing co for tho past ten years.