SHOP HOURS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 184, 24 November 1941, Page 5

SHOP HOURS

V ' PROPOSED LEGISLATION DISCUSSED LOCAL BUSINKSSMEN PROTEST • The drastic effects of the proposed new Shop Assistant's Act, should it ever become law, were discussed at the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce meeting last week, when a letter was received from Mr Wilkinson, M.P. who has strenuously opposed the' Bill. In his letter Mr Wilkinson claimed that the Bill was not due to the agitation or even the desire of the shop assistants at all but to the fanatical determination of Union secretaries. Mr Sullivan spoke to the question, and emphasised the dislocation of trade in a small centre such a? Whakatane if both the late shopping night and Saturday morning were cut out. It would have a most drastic effect upon business generally and create great discomfort for thf general public. Mir R. W. Schofield contended that the move was one of many similar moves, foisted on the people by the Government simply becausc there were few or no vigorous protests raised against it. Very few people had the courage to tell tin Government that justice came- before expediency. Mr Mullins said that if introduced the act, would cripple the rural community in the matter of regular shopping. The old habit of week-end shopping on Saturday would be prohibited and country people would be deprived of much pleasure. The regular shopping habits would simply die cut. It was finally decided to write the Secretary of the Employers' Association pointing out the detrimental effect such legislation would have upon country people and particularly the rural community adjacent to Whakatane.