GROCERS CLOSING HOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12278, 23 May 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

GROCERS CLOSING HOURS.

TO THE EDITOR. _ Sir, —My qualifications to criticise the ac tions of the "Master Grocers' Union" ma; be fifth-rate, or, for the matter of that twenty-fifth-rate; but, Mr. Smeeton net withstanding, 1 claim in common with an; ordinary citizen the right to use what littlt intelligence 1 have in criticising any principh of general application. It should hardly b< necessary for mo to point out that to gram the compulsory closing asked for by tin " Grocers' Union," would only be the firsi step towards a general application of com pulsory closing to all shops, as was attempted and defeated in Wellington. A grocer who has attained such a position thai he cannot compass his trade without the assistance of an extra hand, surely need not grudgo Ids confrere who has only the trade ho can master by himself two or "three hours after six o'clock, especially when ho himseli no doubt did (previous to employing an assistant), just what he is now trying to stop the beginner from doing. That I take to be the true state of the case; unless the Auckland grocers were all born capitalists. The present position seems fair to all parties. If a man wishes to be open he need not shut his shop at six p.m., as he can take off his coat and run it himself, which I think would be more creditable to Mr. Smeeton than allowing his position and influence to be used to the detriment of those who are trying to make a position for themselves. Personally I do not live in much " dread" of monopoly, but I recognise the principle to be bad, and' so attack it wherever I meet it'.-—I am, etc., Geo. Bodley. St. Heliers Bay, May 20.