THE RETAILERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 1 October 1927, Page 6

THE RETAILERS

HASTINGS SHOPS CLOSING HOURS TO CONTINUE AS AT PRESENT. DECISION OF SHOPKEEPERS. A well-attended meeting of Hastings shopkeepers was held last night to deal with a notice of motion to rescind a previous resolution adhering to the hours fixed by the new award It appears new award, which applies to the majority of businesses, extends the shopping hours previously observed in Hastings by an extra half-hour on both Wednesday's and Saturdays. A letter was received from the secretary of the union pointing out that the award was never intended to upset the better conditions observed in towns like Hastings, where the employers had, of their own free will, given their employees advantages which were not universal. The writer hoped that the hours observed for some years in Hastings would be retained. In the discussion on the motion, the desirability of observing the same hours as other towns, lest a concession in one should be used to the hurt of others, was debated. Service to the public appeared to suggest that an extra half-hour on Wednesday would be helpful. It was a recommendation from Mr. Hammond, in regard to first consideration, that hours which had been observed, and were generally acceptable, should not be disturbed without urgent reason. The resolve to apply the hours of the award, so as to ensure uniformity in all towns, was further weakened when members points out that, in the campaign for the retention of the Wednesday half -holiday before the award was operative, the argument was used that if the Saturday holiday was carried, shops would remain open to the legal limit, whereas if Wednesday half-holiday was retained, the shopkeepers were prepared to continue the half-hour concession. It was better to have Saturday, even at the cost of closing at noon on Wednesdays. It was also hoped that the suggestion to change the sale day at Sfortford Lodge would be given afreet to. The motion was carried, and the hours fixed for closing were x noon on Wednesday and 8 p.m. on Saturday, save for Show Wednesday, when the time fixed was 12.30 p.m. The matter of hours for Christmas week was not discussed. CTNVASKING SHOPKEEPERS FOR PRIZES. The necessity for the association giving a lead on the recurring requests for donations was brought forward. Shopkeepers have to bear the heavy end of the rate burden. At any time the task of competitive life was not easy, the difficulties were multiplied in periods of depression. Tt was felt that retailers should not be subjected to competitive stress in order to provide trophies for picnics and entertainments. Tt was therefore unanimously resolved that the association does not approve of the canvass of shopkeepers for subscriptions, other .than for charitable purposes.