FRUITERERS’ GRIEVANCE

Evening Star, Issue 19775, 27 January 1928, Page 8

FRUITERERS’ GRIEVANCE

THE SALE OF FLOWERS r:::: close whole shop with FLORISTS [Special to the ‘ Star.’] CHRISTCHURCH, January ‘26. The 1927 amendment- to the Shops and Offices Act, which comes into force on February 1, will cause the majority of fruiterers either to dose early, or to stop selling flowers. By the new amendment, fruiterers who sell flowers will be classed as florists, and as such will be compelled to close their shops at the same time as florists, this being cither at 5.30 p.m. or 6 p.m. As the largo majority of fruiterers sell flowers, the now amendment will prove very detrimental to their business. City fruiterers are viewing the position with a certain amount of apprehension and alarm. They are preparing to take action to submit a strong protest against the new amendment. A ‘ Star ’ reporter interviewed several leading city fruiterers to-day to ascertain their attitude towards the new amendment. The majority were undecided as to what action should be taken, but all were resentful. “ Jt is most unfair to us and to the public." declared one prominent fruiterer. “ We would bo quite prepared to cease selling flowers after the hour at. which florists dose, but it is monstrous to expect us to dose down our whole shop. The Government is inconsistent, and appears to be favoring the florists. We could sell cigarettes during the day, and still carry on our fruit business after the tobacconists dosed. We have enough trouble as it is. First, a municipal market is set up, and then we have to put up with this new amendment, which will ho very harmful to us.” The speaker went on to say that the public would also he adversely affected, for a groat deal of business was done in the evening, when people who were at work during the day came in to make their purchases. Another section of the community to be affected would be the large number of hospital visitors who called in at fruit shops mi their way to the hospital in the earlv evening. Most of tlio fruiterers interviewed expressed concern for the grower. The fruit shops, by selling flowers and seeds, promote competition and keep down the prices. Not only will the local growers he affected, but the big growers in Auckland will also suffer loss.