SHOP ASSISTANTS BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8986, 17 September 1892, Page 3

SHOP ASSISTANTS BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Are shopkeepers aware of the tyrannical nature of the Shop Assistants Bill which has, I believe, passed the House of Representatives? I have not had an opportunity of making myself acquainted with the whole of the provisions of the Bill, but what I have noticed seems to me unnecessarily vexatious and unjust. Any business man who is good for anything wants to know how he stands at least once a year: but our legislators, in their wisdom, are determined to throw every obstacle in the way of his doing so. One member had sense enough to try and get an amendment inserted providing for the very necessary process of stock-tak-ing (which 1 submit cannot be wholly done during business hours), but the bright specimens of business men who have beon miserable failures in everything they have undertaken would have none of it. Again, I contend an assistant who is worth his salt cheerfully gives an hour or two during the month, and extra at Christinas-time, taking as an equivalent the very liberal dose of holidays that prevail in this colony, all of which are paid for. I should like to ask whether it is more honourable to work hard and pay one's debts, or to take life easily and enjoy everything that comes along,—go to church regularly, and pay 2s fid in the £1, or less The latter policy appears co be the favourite one now, and all our legislation lends to favour it. Thanking you for affording me space to air a grievance.—l am, etc., September 16, 1892. Hy. Hkwin. THE PROPOSED TAKAPUNA WHARF. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Mr. Malcolm Nicccl hit the nail on the head, when he said at the last Harbour Board meeting " that the Ferry Company should contribute towards the cost of erecting the above wharf." It is the opinion of myself and others that the whole of the cost should be borne by the Devonport Ferry Company, and those other Takapuna property-holders who desire the work to be carried out. It is, certainly, difficult to see how the Harbour Board would be justified in spending money on it. The feeling is growing in some minds that the control of a large corporation like the Auckland Harbour Board should be assumed- by the Government, and this is what will inevitably happen if the large income and wealth of the Board is not properly administered.—l am, &c, Justus. Devonport, September 15,1892.