LATE NIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1942, Page 6

LATE NIGHT

FIRST ACTION TAKEN

AUCKLAND SHOPS

Shops in Auckland are to close earlier on the late night. This is the first action taken under the Closing of Shops (Late Night) Emergency Regulations which were issued recently. The Minister of National Service (Mr. Semple) stated today that, through the Mayor of Auckland, he had authorised the local authorities in the Auckland E.P.S. area to fix the earlier closing time of 6 p.m. for the late night.

This authority is to apply only to shops for which the ordinary closing time, except on the late night or on the half-holiday, is now 5.30 p.m. or earlier. There is to be no alteration in the closing hour of such shops on other days of the week.

"An assurance has been given me by the representatives of the shop assistants that, in order to make good the hours lost by closing at 6 p.m. on the late night, the employees affected will be prepared to commence work at 8.30 a.m. on each day of the week," said the Minister.

"The closing of shops at 6 p.m. on the late night and the earlier opening on six days of the week should be in the interests of public safety and convenience," the Minister added, "but if in the light of experience it is found that it is possible to have a more suitable arrangement of shopping hours then the matter can be reconsidered. The public can greatly assist by shopping early, and I appeal to housewives particularly to get their shopping done as early in the day as possible. Some inconvenience will undoubtedly be caused, but by the helpful co-operation of all this can be largely overcome. After all, the safety of the people must be our first consideration."