EARLY CLOSING IN-DANGER.

Evening Star, Issue 14634, 2 August 1911, Page 11

EARLY CLOSING IN-DANGER.

TO THE KDITOR. Sir,—ls it right that certain booksellers and fancy goods dealers should keep open late every night, while their brother competitors close at 6 o'clock, and on Saturdays at 9 o'clock? Surely the Shop Hours Act was designed to foster early closing, and do away with unfair competition, and, in the best interests of the State, to protect even a shopkeeper and his wife from long hours and consequent physical deterioration. Those I refer to, when thev were employees, cried out for short hours and got them, but directly they go into business for themselves thev shew their consistency by keeping open late every night. They have an advantage over their competitors, and endanger the early closing movement. Some even employ assistants during the day, but continue with their wives' assistance after 6 o'clock, to keep open evcrv night. And there are a '.aree number of the'.public who never realise the physical necessity of shorter hours for these in shops, but alwavg buy'at night if a shop is open. Surelv it is time our inspectors reported a?aiust'all th's, mid that Parliament closed everybody except refreshment-houses at the same time.—l arn, etc.. Earlt ClosingAugust 1.