SHOP HOURS

Southland Times, Issue 20201, 11 June 1927, Page 8

SHOP HOURS

CHEMISTS COMPLAIN DEPUTATION TO MINISTER BILL MAY GO BEFORE PARLIAMENT (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 10. 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 Labour, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, to a deputation from the Northern Pharmaceutical Association. The Minister stated that the method of fixing hours for this particular class of shops by a requisition from shopkeepers was not considered by the Government to be entirely satisfactory. However, to fix them equitably by an Act or regulation was a very difficult matter, and he would welcome any help that business people and the public could give him. The deputation asked that a Bill should not extend the hours for small suburban shops except those dealing in perishable foodstuffs. “If the small shops in general are allowed to keep open after chemists close, they will soon take to stocking our lines,” said Mr R. Cotterail, 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 from the shopkeepers and shop assistants and a large petition from owners of small shops. The Wellington chemists also wished to meet him. Many were of the opinion that shop hours should be defined by the Act, but there were many difficulties. The small , men said, “We cannot live unless you let , us open after ordinary hours.” They ask- ; ed the Government by implication whether it was prepared to put them out of busi- . ness. A system of zones had been suggested for towns over a certain size. If a Bill were introduced, copies would be widely distributed, and all parties interested would be free to state their views before the Labour 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 Smith: What is the objection to the requisition system ? The Minister: The small shopkeepers may swamp the large men or the other way about. Once, the Auckland fruiterers requisitioned for closing at 7 o’clock. Then some of them got to work and it was reversed next year. That sort of thing is not desirable, but as far as the Bill is concerned, we want all the opinions we can get before anything is done.