THE SHOP HOURS BILL.

Evening Star, Issue 7621, 25 May 1888, Page 4

THE SHOP HOURS BILL.

TO THK EDITOR. SIR, —Your correspondent " T.C. " is perhaps desirous of seeing justice done to all, but at the same time I don't think his arguments in favor of the present system of long hours and the liberty and rights of the public generally will bear very close inspection. I have no doubt, like other Bills deab'ng with matters pertaining to the eomfort and happiness of the community, that the Bill now under consideration, if passed, will in a small degree affect a few in a manner not altogether pleasing to them ; but I believe that it would affect thousands in a most beneficial manner. " T.C." is of opinion that the small shopkeepers especially would suffer. I fail to see in what way ? If all shops close at the same time customers will make it convenient to purchase before that time. Where there is a will there is a way. The proposed legislation would simply curtail the hours of labor, not the receipts. The same amount of business Would be done, but in less time and with less trouble.

I quite agree with "T.C." that it is not for the pleasure derived from standing behind the counter that a tradesman opens his shop, but I can say from experience that there is nothing lost by closing at six o'clock. On the contrary, there is a saving effected in time, energv, and gas. I don't know whether "T.C." hasever been engaged in a retail establishment, but a certain remark in his epistle would incline one to believe that he has not. I can say honestly, confidently, and without fear of contradiction by any sane person, that the present system is most injurious to the health, happiness, and prosperity of retail assistants. I was engaged in a shop in this town for a considerable time. The hours were from 8.30 a.m. to between 9 and 10 p.in., eleven o'clock on Saturdays, and at the hour I got home it was time to retire for the night. I was at liberty one day in the weuk at 6 p.m., but being a volunteer had to devote that evening to drill. I sometimes got off twice a week. It will therefore be seen that I had little or no time for improving myself in any way—not even to read the Star. Nothing but work, work, work ! Whose fault was it ? Not my employer's; not my own. I will leave "T.C." to ask himself whether such was or was not injurious to health, happiness, and prosperity, and how, in the absence of legislation on the subject, it can be remedied ?—I am, etc., M.A.C. Roslyn, May 23.