CLOSING HOURS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9095, 14 July 1915, Page 3

CLOSING HOURS

SHOPKEEPERS PROTEST

ASSOCIATION FOAMED TO PROTECT INTERESTS.

A meeting of shopkeepers interested in the proposed amendments in the Shop and Offices Act was held yesterday morning in the Norwich Chambers, Customhouse quay. Mr H. Seaton presided, and there wore twenty shopkeepers present, who represented various classes of tirade in the city. The chairman said that the meeting was called for the purpose of discussing and making some strong protest against the proposed amendments to the Shops and Offices Act that it was understood wero being introduced to Parliament on behalf of the Drapers’ Union by Mr Hindmarsh, M.P. The proposed amendments provided for shops being closed compulsorily on ordinary nights at 5-30 o’clock, at 8 o’clock on late nights, and at 12 noon on Saturdays. It was also provided that shop assistants shall not forfeit the right of their halfholiday because it so happened that a public holiday fell during the week. In support of the proposals it was pointed out that shops in Auckland are voluntarily closed at 5.30 oni ordinary nights of the week; that the system has been in vogue for the past two years, and that similar conditions obtain in England and Australia.

Mr Seaton said he was in a position to speak as to the conditions in England, and he could state with authority that the shops there did not close as stated.

Mr A. Moore, president of the Auckland Wednesday .Half-holiday Defence League, said that' the shopkeepers of Auckland had been very hard hit by the compulsory closing on Saturday afternoon, and that there was an urgent necessity for a shopkeepers’ association being formed throughout New Zealand in order that their interests might bo protected. The bakers had an association of this nature, and as they dealt in essentials the Saturday half-holiday had done them a groat amount of harm. In regard to the statement that the shops in Auckland closed at 5-30 on ordinary nights, he said it was true to a certain extent, but the statement was very misleading. In Karangahape road one big firm closed its premises at 5.30 during three or four of the winter months, but at other periods of the year kept open until 6 o’clock. The system was being tried as an experiment, and the firm would revert back to 6 o’clock closing. In the suburbs no other shop closed at 5.30 o’clock. In Queen street shopkeepers could be excused for closing at 5-30, as they dealt in the better class of goods, but in this ’ street only three shops, closed at this hour, and out of the hundreds, of shops in Auckland there were only four that closed at 5.30 o’clock. THE BUSY HOUR. Speaking, of the suggested closing at midday on Saturday, Mr Moore said that very little, business was done on Saturday morning, and- if the hours between 12 - and 1/ o’clock, which was the busiest ’ one of the day, was denied shopkeepers, hardly any business would be ’ done at all.- The shopkeeper in Auckland had a lot to contend with, and if the opposition desired to learn the, true facts they had only to. stand at I 'the end of the penny tram section oh the Karangahape road between 12 and 1 o’clock and see the large number of wives, waiting for their husbands to alight from the tram in order to hand over their weekly wages so that the household purchases could he made before the shops closed. 1 1 ' '

The chairman said that the shop assistants in New Zealand rarely worked more than 46 hours each week, and although provision was made for_ commencing work at 8 olclock in the morning it was seldom put into effect. Assistants were allowed-two weeks’ holiday annually on full .pay, and should they bo away ill for a day or two their wages were not interfered with. In New Zealand, it was admitted that shop assistants were paid a higher rate of wage than in any other part of the world. Wellington led in this respect, then followed Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.

“The ' Saturday half-holiday has killed the country trade in Auckland,” replied Mr Moore in answer to a question. '“This is the best trade, as the country clients buy the best class of goods.” On holidays when' the people from the country wont to the city his own experience was that trade advanced .33 per cent. ■ LETTER OF PROTEST.

The chairman said that shopkeepers did not wish to lose the Saturday trade when a holiday intervened, and he proposed; “That a letter be sent to the Minister, for Labour strongly protesting against an alteration in the Shops and Offices Act as proposed by tm Drapers’ Union.” The motion was carried. Mr Pownes said-he formed one of » deputation to the Minister for Labour some time ago, and Mr Massey then stated that he would not support any proposal's that would injure the small shopkeepers, so there was very little likelihood of the amendments coming before Parliament this, session. in regard to Saturday afternoon closing, Mr Seaton said it had hardly been in vogue long enough in the city to tell how far trade was .being affected. So far it had not been a success, but no doubt the presence of a large number of troops in Wellington had swelled the returns. Mr Queree remarked that his firm was feeling the difference already, and in common with others, they were anxious as to the future.

Mr Moore assured those present that it had been a great failure in Auckland, and many shops were now empty which prior to the coming into force of the Saturday closing were let at a good rental. Even now, when the shops are open on Saturday night through a holiday intervening in the week, a marked difference in trade apparent. ASSOCIATION FORMED. The chairman said that when the Shopkeepers’ Association was 'in existence it was of great .benefit to shopkeepers, and through its advocacy legislation was blocked that was detrimental to trade. He proposed that the association be reformed and that Mr A. George be elected president. The motion was seconded, by Mr Queree and carried unanimously. Mr H. Seaton was appointed vice-presi-dent, ‘Mr H. F. Allen secretary, and those present to form the executive, and' power to add to their number. ■