THE TEST CASE.

Southland Times, Issue 19471, 26 November 1904, Page 4

THE TEST CASE.

(Per United Press Association). „ WELLINGTON, Vcv. 25. The test case under the H-iops Act, broulght before Dr Me Arthur, was commenced this morning, the, object lsoing to determine whether "combined c'iilricts" under the Shops and Offices Act, li! 04, exist ttt the present time or whether they require to be gazetted. The % case was 1 brought -try v the Labour Department against Mr Tanner, a shopkeeper at Newtown, .who was charged with a breach of the; early closing . clause on Saturday last. The faofr or keeping open was admitted. Dr Fittdlay, in opening, said tne suggestion that the Labour Department did hot intend to enforce the Shops and Offices Act was quite unfounded. The first point was whether it was necessary to specify, each combined district. ITe submitted that under a sub-section- of; .secion 8, districts were sufficiently defined and districts were created. The gazetting 1 was only supplementary evidence of ci'eaing districts. Mr Skjerrett, replying, contended that | the Labour Department, to sesure a conviction, hwd rejad words into the Act which did not exist. At present "combined 'districts " were not defined, and therefore did not exist. Judgment was eserved till Monday. What is described as a large and influential meeting «of drapers, clothiers, merer^ and hatters last evening decided to observe the early closing law. They also expressed approval of the Shops Act. and surprise at the apathy of shop assistants, who are liable to have their privileges curtailed if the Act proves inoperative. . '