A PECULAR POSITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10064, 31 August 1918, Page 9

A PECULAR POSITION

CLOSING HOURS FOR TOBACCONISTS. Tobacconists and hairdressers may chooso the day of tho week which is most convenient to their respective businesses on which to close for tho weekly half-holiday. A considerable number have decided for Saturday, the statutory half-holiday, while •■ others have elected to close on Wednesday. The latter, by requisition, have resolved upon certain hours which are to be observed. On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, tobacconists may keep their establishments open until 7 o'clock in the evening, and on Wednesday, those observing the Saturday half-holiday are required to close at 5 o'clock in tho evening. On Friday tobacconists and hairdressers are permitted to remain open for business till 9 o'clock at keeping their premises open on Wednosnesday afternoon remain open on Saturday .night till 10 o'clock., Yesterday B. ilouldsworth, J. W. Walker. J. G. Bennett, and Violet Woodhouse were each charged with keeping tho premises opon on Wednesday evening, August 14th. after 5 o'clock. Mr F. V. Frazcr, S.M., was on the Bench, and Mr G. H. Lightfoot appeared for the prosocutton and Mr P. Levi for tho defendants. Tho facte, as outlined by the prosecution, wtfco admitted, and the case resolved itself into a lega l argument. Mr Lev*said that a number of smaller tobacconists and hairdressers had taken advantage of tho provisions of tho Act and had decided to closo on Wednesday instead of Saturday. The defendants observed Saturday. A petition was got up and a requisition signed by those, who desired to close on Wednesday, in which provision was inade for tho closing of premises at 7 o'clock on each evening oi the week with tho exception of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Those who closed on Saturday wore compelled to close on Wednesday at 5 o'clock, and only had one long day in the week, while tho Wednesday observers had two long days. By the requisition ono section (Wednesday) obtained live more hours in which to keep opon to transact business, and by fixing the hours of the Saturday section counsel considered that a dishonest practice was manifest, as it was unfair that a of business men who were m competition with nother section were allowed a. less number of hours to transact their business. He contended that tho notice sent round in respect to tho closing hours was invalid and beyond the scope of the statute. After argument had been beard regarding tho timo when evening commenced, during which The Bible and dictionaries were quoted, the magistrate said that it appeared !o him that the requisition had been framed for one of two reasons —either to gain an unfair advantage over those who closed their premises on Saturday, or to make them come into lino and observe Wednesday n.s the closing day. Jn bis opinion the latter was the more likely to be tho correct view. His sympathies wore willi Uio defendants, hut lie was satisfied that the requisition was h'ithin the law. Nothing could be done probably until the ' expiry of six months, but, he suggested that the Minister be approached on the matter. Mr Levi replied.that that had been done, mid the reply obtained was tho present summonses. The magistrate said he -would give them tho opportunity, however, and impose a. nominal penalty of Is with costs in each case. In future enscs ho might not be so lenient. • Socunty for appoal was fixod at £lO.