OPPOSITION EXPRESSED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 227, 18 October 1940, Page 5

OPPOSITION EXPRESSED

SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT AMENDMENT BOROUGH COUNCILLORS' VIEWS In common with other local bodies the Whakatane Borough Council received a circular letter from Mr C, A. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, drawing attention to the far reaching effects of the proposed new legislation in an amendment to the Shops and Offices Act. By this amendment the right to determine ! the weekly half-holiday, the opening and closing hours of shops, and the right to determine the late shopping night as well as Saturday morn ing trading, would be held by a Judge of the Arbitration Court. The Mayor said that as the matter was then urgent the Works Committee had dealt with it and in letters to the Member for the district, the Prime Minister and Mr Wilkinson, M.P., strong opposition had been expressed. Commenting on the legislation, Cr A. J. Canning said that it was a very drastic-step to take. With n 40-hour week creeping into the business area he was of the opinion that it would not be long before the Government introduced 40-liour cows. Cr W. Sullivan said that although the subject of Mr Wilkinson's circular protest had received wide publicity, it had lacked support by the business people of Whakatane apart from those on local bodies. He was surprised at that. "Have we got a Business Men's Association? If there is one It must be as dead as Julius Caesar,'? said the councillor. • . Tlie council approved the Works Committee's action. -