A SHOP HOURS' MATTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13285, 18 September 1906, Page 5

A SHOP HOURS' MATTER.

CHINESE &ND THE TOBACCONISTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Monday. A deputation of master tobacconists waited upon the Minister for Labour to-day, and asked that some provision should be made to compel Chinese shopkeepers who sold tobacco, etc., to close at eight o'clock, the hour when the tobacconists closed. Several speakers said that since the tobacconists had closed at eight p.m. the Chinese shopkeepers had largely stocked tobacco, cigarettes, etc, and sold these things after the tobacconists had closed. Would the Minister introduce, an amendment of the Shops Act or would the Labour Department bring a test case against Chinamen who were as much tobacconists as were the members of the deputation? -

Mr. Millar replied that in view of (lie coming down of the Land Bill there might not be much chance of other legislation going through this session, but he had several amendments of the Shops and Offices Act already in preparation, and if there was no other way of settling the trouble mentioned by the deputation, he would have a clause drafted for inclusion in the amending Bill. The Minister promised to consult the Crown Law Office with* the object of seeing whether the Labour Department would have a good case in proceeding against Chinese who are tobacconists.