THE SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13288, 20 May 1905, Page 8

THE SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT.

THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. (From Our Own Cor.iiEsroNDE.NT 1 WELLINGTON, May 19. At the Trades and Labour Council's meeting lsst evening it was moved—"That the Minister of Labour he written to, pointing out that a large number of breaches of tho Shops and Office 1 * Act was being committed in the city, and requesting that action bo taken to stop the breaches." The speakers declared tint if tho Government maladininistered this pet it would do the same with other acts, and the disoussion generally was severely critical on the Government's action, A delegate sprang a surprise on the meeting and caused some amusement by moving as an amendment—" That the Minister be asked to resign if he was unablo to onforee the law." Tho Minister of Labour happens to be tho Premier. The amondment was defeated and the motion was then carried. It was also resolved that the Mayor of Wellington bo requested lo convene a mass meeting in tho Town Hall to consider tho non-enforcement of the act, and, failing eomplianco with this request, a mass meeting he held by tho council at Mercer street on Saturday, week. A committer was appointed to arrange details in regard to the mass meeting, and it was resolved to request 'ho Socialist party and Shop Assistants' Association to co-operate with the council. (Fur United Tress Association.) WELLINGTON, May W. At the Magistrate's Court to-day there wore two prosecutions under the Shops and Offices Act, A woman was convicted for keeping her shop open it should 1 have ' been closed, and another "trader was fined 10s for employing ass'cbints for more than nine hours on more than one day in the week.