EXEMPTIONS FROM RESTRICTED HOURS CAUSE CONCERN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18451, 30 April 1928, Page 5

EXEMPTIONS FROM RESTRICTED HOURS CAUSE CONCERN.

TOBACCONISTS TO WAIT ON PREMIER.

Tobacconists who desire to restrict the hours for the sale of smoking requisites to those observed by themselves are concerned regarding the action of Magistrates in granting exemptions to a number of small shopkeepers who resent the restrictions. The matter will be discussed at a Dominion conference of wholesale and retail tobacconists at Wellington tomorrow, and a deputation will subsequently wait on the Prime Minister for the purpose of making representations to him. Messrs R. A. Campbell and L. Brian will represent the Christchurch Tobacconists’ Association at the conference. While it is stated that the large majority of the retail tobacconists desire the restrictions, there is a very considerable body of small shopkeepers who take up an opposite view, and in other parts of the Dominion many exemptions from the closing hours have been granted. An Auckland Magistrate, in granting exemptions to two tobacconists, declared that the sale of smoking requisites was different from the sale of groceries, draperies and other similar commodities, because the worker, who was the largest buyer of tobacco and cigarettes, was unable, generally speaking, to make his purchases during the day. This view is controverted by leading tobacconists, who contend that those who wish to buy smoking requisites have ample opportunities of doing so during the hours in which tobacconists’ shops are open. It is also contended that Magistrates have no right c to grant exemptions under the amended law. The requision signed by a majority of the Christchurch tobacconists asking that the hours of sale of smoking requisites be restricted in Christchurch, and all shopkeepers selling these goods should be required to observe the same hours as tobacconists, is being held up pending an amendment to the award of the Arbitration Court relating to the employment of assistants by tobacconists. A joint application from the employers and the workers has been forwarded to the Arbitration Court, and as soon as the amendment is filed it is expected that the “ Gazette ” notice imposing the restrictions will be published.