HOURS OF SHOPS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16364, 11 June 1927, Page 14

HOURS OF SHOPS

LEGISLATION MAY BE AMENDED MINISTER WANTS HELP OP BUSINESS MEN (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. A Bill to amend the system of fixing the hours of business for shops will probably be brought before Parliament in a few weeks, according to a statement made by the Minister of Labor, Hon. G. J. Anderson, to a deputation from the. Northern Pharmaceutical Association. The Minister intimated that the methods of fixing hours for a particular class of si ops by requisition from shopkeepers was not considered by the Government to be entirely satisfactory. However, to fix them equitably by Act or regulation was a very difficult matter, and he would welcome <any help that the business people and the public would give him. The deputation asked that the Bill should not extend the hours for small suburban shops except those dealing in-perishable, foodstuffs. "If small shops in general arc allowed to keep open after the chemists close they will soon take to stocking our lines," said Mr. R. Ootterall, president of the association. The Minister said the movement to alter the present system was the result of a questionnaire that had been sent out by someone, he did not know whom. He had had deputations rrpin shopkeeper,-"; and shop assistants and a large petition from the owners of gmall shops. The Wellington chemists also wished to meet him. Many were of opinion that the shop hours should be dclined by the Act, but there were many difficulties. The small men said: '•We cannot live unless you let us open after ordinary hours." They asked the Government by implication whether it was, prepared to put them out of business/ A system of zones had leeu suggested for towns over a certi.iri size. If a Bill were introduced copies would be widely .distributed, and all parties interested would be free to state their Views before the Labor Bills Committee. A Bill had actually been drafted and printed, but a number of alterations would have to be made in it. Whether shop hours would be actually defined was not certain. The Government had to satisfy shopkeepers, their employees, and the general public. Mr. E. Smith: What is the objection to 'he requisition system? The Minister: The small shopkeepers may swamp the large men, or the ether way about. Once the Auckland fruiterers requisitioned for closing at seven o'clock. Then some of them got to work and it was revised next..year. That sort of thing is not desirable, but as Car as the Bill is concerned we want all the opinions we can get before anything is done."