RESTRICTED SHOPPING HOURS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 24, 30 January 1946, Page 4

RESTRICTED SHOPPING HOURS

’Till-: restriction of shopping hours has been brought in at a most 1 inconvenient time. Were the ordinary services of delivery undertaken by the retailers then the reduction in the shopping hours would not have caused such a violent dislocation of shopping arrangements, as now is the case. The abandonment, out of necessity, of the retail delivery system threw upon individuals a great deal of exertion which had not all been previously absorbed in leisure as many men and all women have found out in recent months. Shopping is not being done in the “spare time’’ of the individual, but in hours when they would be engaged in working at their callings in some form or another. Retailing is a service to the public which has grown up in the past because it is a timesaving device, and home delivery was part of that service. Some of the time so saved was undoubtedly wasted or frittered away, but much of it was absorbed in very useful work. That work is now reduced and it is here that the economic loss is being recorded. Nowadays is presented to the world the ridiculous spectacle of skilled tradesmen “enjoying” reduced working hours, the hours of enjoyment being absorbed in doing the work of errand boys. Retailing has gone on partial strike, in that it has withdrawn a. portion of its services to the public, and the public is left in a position that is not being relished. The work of supplying the homes with the necessaries of life have deteriorated and, in consequence, the mass of the people are required to accept a lower standard of comfort. While the consumer is willing to accept second place to the producer of goods or services he and she must expect conditions of living to deteriorate.