PROFESSOR ALDIS AND THE SHOP HOURS BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9074, 7 June 1888, Page 3

PROFESSOR ALDIS AND THE SHOP HOURS BILL.

,7 " TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt was with considerable surprise and regret that I read the letter of Professor Aldis on the above Bill. Both feelings were occasioned by the obvious want of knowledge of the Bill, and the feeling of those most" interested towards it, displayed by the writer. Mr. Aldis says, " One effect of the Bill will be to increase the already heavy expenditure in the payment of inspectors." If Mr. Aldis was acquainted with the history of the movement here, he would not have penned that objection. ■ Mr. Aldis correctly says, "The small shopkeepers, who employ little or no assistance, are surely the best judges of the length of time they should work." Undoubtedly they are. And what is their attitude towards the Bill? The great majority hail it with delight. In Mr. Peacock's constituency, noticing by the Press reports that their representative was not hearty in his support, forty-five of that class of traders sent him a written request to support the Bill. From the same reason nearly seventy tradesmen in Mr. T. Thompson's constituency sent him a similar request. No, Sir, it is not from these the opposition to the Bill emanates, but from those who are employing a number of assistants, and frequently keep them to most unreasonable hours, who see that if this Bill becomes law they will be compelled to man their business with the number of hands it should fairly carry. This Bill is nob being forced upon an unwilling people by a despotic Government; the democracy are asking for it. Mr. Aldis will, with the poet admit Democracy gives every man The right to be his own oppressor. Says a recent writer :—" No great improve-' ment is probable until the democracy is alive to its own interests : in the widening of the franchise and the growing spirit of revolt against social evils, a solid guarantee is being given that the essential conditions of improvement are being fulfilled. Nor must it be forgotten that the law itself helps to favour our notions of right and wrong. As our perceptions of the misery caused by unlimited competition increases, we shall render bad houses, bad food, long hours, and low wages illegal." In the proposed Bill chemists are not exempt, but) they can supply medicines, drugs, or medical appliances after the hour of closing appointed by the Act. Certainly there are cases when food is required in cases of sickness equally with medicine, perhaps more so. Well, what does the Act say? " Nothing in this Act shall render the occupier of any shop liable to a fine for supplying any requisite in case of sickness." One probable effect of the Bill, says Mr. Aldis, supposing the chemists are exempt, is that they will do a good deal of the business now done by the grocer. If so, they will come under a clause that would include them in the same hour of closing as the grocer. The initiation of the measure was done by tradesmen, the assistants did little until this past week, when they secured 4518 signatures in favour of the Bill. There are ■ several reasons that would induce the House of Commons to reject Sir John Lubbock's Bill, that are inoperative' here. In several acts of beneficial legislation, the colonies, our own in particular, has led the way, and the mother country has followed. Let us hope, that in this Act of social legislation, which, as expressed by the Rev. C. M. Nelson, is reasonable in its moderation, our General Assembly will listen to the prayer already expressed by several thousands, and which will shortly be increased, and grant the boon of shorter hours to those engaged in the various retail trades. Again expressing my regret that the scholarly leisure of Professor Aldis should be occupied in thwarting the legitimate wishes of the people, and apologising for the unavoidable length of this letter. I am, etc., R. French.