EARLY CLOSING.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1196, 22 November 1873, Page 3

EARLY CLOSING.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star. ) Sir,—Referring to the Early Closing Association and myself I wish respectfully to the same as other drapers in consideration state that I was induced to sign the agreement that the whole signed the document to close, and should tbey not do so (which is the case,) the committee of the Association would at once call upon all who signed and immediately release them of the contract they had made. This promise they have violated, under which I presume I am perfectly free to do as I please, although I do now and always have done, close my shop, send my assistants away, and took myself to my usual industry in completing garments for my customers orders during the day. Surely Mr Editor that is enough. I comply with the idea in question. But bear in mind Ihe Association have gone too far. They have troubled themselves to call on the merchants with whom 1 do business to bring their influence to bear on my shop door, and to put my gas light out. But this pressure originated from three mean and contemptible shopkeepers who wish to keep open, and who were drawn into the contract in the same false manner I v as induced to sign. If the assistants object to work after six o'clock why don't they, like men, boldly say to their employers : " Gentlemen, —We"have formed ourselves into a labour protection association, or society, with the object of not working after six o'clock, or before nine o'clock in the morning, allowing us one hour for dinner (not bread and butter lunch and the pump handle, with a smoke and walk to fill up the hour), and unless you comply with our wishes we shall withdraw every one of your assistants and maintain them out of the funds of our society, and if I choose to be industrious and pay 20s to the £ I say let me be so, and I dare any man to interfere Thanking the public for their kind support and extreme generosity during this trying affair, and rely upon it you will always find little Levy ready any time after six o'clock to use his goose and scissors.—l am, &c, yours respectfully, J. Levy, 210, Queenstreet.—[Advt.]