SHOP CLOSING HOURS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19761, 7 October 1927, Page 14

SHOP CLOSING HOURS.

SUBURBAN TRADESMEN. APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION. Tho relative disability under which suburban shops labour by having to close at 5.30 p.m., the hour when their principal customers are just returning home from the city, was mentioned in the Arbitration Court yesterday. The case under review was the application of Henry Claude Luckstedt (Mr. W. T. Harnpson), for extension of the closing hours of his shop at 230, Jervois Road, Ponsonby, from 5.30 to 6 p.m. Stating that suburban premises, by having to close at the same hour as Queen Street businesses, were at a disadvantage, Mr. Harnpson argued that the former lost a lot of business through customers having to shop in Queen Street. Mr. Justice Frazer: But the Queen Street shops are entitled to their share, too, since they depend on tho suburbanites for business. Mr. Hampson: Well, let them stay open until 6 p.m. also. The Judge: But the Act prohibits it. He added the Court was empowered to grant exemptions in the case of distant suburban shops, and had done so where it was proved hardship existed. But one had to "draw the line" somewhere, and it would be fallacious to argue that all shops out of Queen Street should remain open until 6 p.m. Admittedly all suburban premises suffered some hardship by having to close at 5.30 on four days in the week, but the matter had to be weighed in the light of comparative effect. Mr. Hampson persisted in seeking answers to three questions he put to the Court: Whether it found applicant's business development was restricted by the cause named ?; whether it did not constitute undue hardship in terms of the Shops and Offices Act, 1921 ?; and was the appreciable restriction on business in accordance with or contrary to the spirit of the legislature ? Describing the questionnaire as a "conundrum," His Honor said counsel had not the right to put it to the Court anc» seek answers in "black and white," although he considered he had more than answered Mr. Hampson during the course of the hearing. Decision was reserved.