LATE SHOPPING NIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18635, 29 April 1924, Page 5

LATE SHOPPING NIGHT.

difference over hours. APPLICATION FOR CHANGE. .COURT ADJOURNS MATTER. The question of closing time for Auckland shops on Friday evening and on Saturdays came before the Arbitration Court yesterday, on an application by the newly-formed Auckland Retail Soft Goods Employees' Association, that shops be allowed to remain open until 9 p.m. instead of closing at 8.30 p.m. on Eridav, and that closing time on Saturday be at 12.30 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. Mr. J. H. Mortensen, secretary of the Shop Assistants' Union, opposed the proposed alteration. The award applies to shops retailing boots, hardware, crockery, stationery, fancy goods, furniture, and soft goods. I A petition in favour of the proposed alteration has been signed by some 1400 shop assistants. Mr. S. E. Wright, on behalf of the Employers' Federation, supported the application. There was, he said, a strong objection in Auckland to closing at 8.30 p.m. on Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Mr. Justice Frazer asked when the new association came into existence. Mr. Wright: After the award. Mr. Mortensen: Under what section of the Act are these people endeavouring to get a hearing before the Court? Mr. Wright: Under the Amending "Act of 1920, which gives the Court power to deal with a third party. Mr. Mortensen contended that all proceedings had ceased once the award came into operation. The Federation of Shop Assistants' Unions strongly opposed any amendment of the award. It would be a very grave matter if they had consented to the new association of non-unionists coming before the Court, and had permitted the union, which -was registered under the Act, to be dictated to by the new body. They were of opinion that it was tantamount to a vote of no-confi-dence on the administration of the Arbitration Court. His Honor: We are quit« used to that. It is very kind of yon to be bo considerate. Mr. Mortensen. continuing, said that perhaps when they came for a new award there might be a consideration of the matter. Mr. Wright said he was only asking for a date to be fixed when the mate might be heard. His Honor said it was only with the consent of the two parties concerned that the Court had amending ' jurisdiction. The new organisation was not in existence when the award was made. It appeared to have no standing, but if a new award were being made it could appear as third party. If it was » fact that a large number of the assistants desired to go back to 9 p.m. closing on Friday, and take in exchange 12.30 p.m. on Saturday, he would suggest that the parties should meet and try to arrive at an agreement. It was a case where one would . imagine the wishes Of the majority should rule.

The acting-secretary to the new association, Mr. J. Redfern, said the petition had been signed both by non-unionisis and by unionists. The ending of the Saturday's work at 12.30 p.m. was a big proposition from the assistants' point of view, and it was agreeable to the employers. His Honor said the new association could represent anything it wished through Mr. Wright. He adjourned the matter until May 6, when applications by shopkeepers for exemption from the award would be dealt with.