THE SHOPS ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5500, 27 February 1896, Page 3

THE SHOPS ACT.

m DEPUTATION TO MEMBERS. A deputation of fruiterers waited upon the local members of the House of Representatives in the Temperance Hall this morning' at the conclusion of the surplus labour meeting. Mr J. G. Davis, for the deputation, stated" that the manner in which the Inspectorwasnowenforcingthe half-holiday observance pressed very hardly on many fruiterers, who, because they also sold seeds and plants during the week, even . although they put them aside on the Thursday afternoon, were compelled to close while other fruiterers were open. He suggested that it would be better that all should be compelled to close than to have the anomalies at present existing. The deputation then withdrew, and, after discussion, the following letter was drawn, up to be sent to "Wellington :— '•'...'■ •• TheHonthe Minister of 'Labour, ; Wel-lington.-i-Sir, — We find there is considerable dissatisfaction with the present method of administering the Shops and Shop Assistants Act, owing to fruiterers who sell pot plants and seeds being required to close, whilst others who sell vegetables are not requested to close. "We think that it might be possible to secure uniformity by following the precedent of last year, viz., by allowing all fruiterers to keep open, provided they agreed not to sell anything. : but. fruit on the half -holiday. If agreeable, we suggest that the Labour Inspector be advised accordingly. — We are, &c. -