TANEATUA’S CLAIM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 2, 5 March 1947, Page 5

TANEATUA’S CLAIM

SATURDAY SHOPPING DESIRED LOCAL GROCERS PETITION An interesting- test of strength between the businessmen of Whakatane who are opposing a petition from Robert Selwyn Ricketts and James Walter Goodhew, for the right to continue all day Saturday trading as in the past, was commenced in the Whakatane Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr E. L. Walton, S.M. Mr T. Hamerton appeared for the petitioners, and Mr B. S. Barry, acting under instructions from the Whakatane Retailers’ Association, opposed the move, which it was considered would be detrimental to the business houses of that town.

Mr Hamerton pointed out that under the Act it was scarcely permissable for an Association of businessmen to oppose the petition, as it was clearly stated that ‘any shopkeeper may object’. The Magistrate: I will be guided by the evidence. Mr Barry cannot call an Association for evidence. Mr Hamerton then said that for many years past Taneatua had observed Wednesday as a closing day, and had remained open on Saturday. The recent grocer’s award made Saturday closing obligatory, though this would cut right across the long shopping day which had been fixed for townships in the county by the Minister of Labour. With the full backing, the applicants, who were fully backed by their respective staffs desired to close all day Wednesday and remain open from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. on Saturdays.

Mr R. S. Ricketts said that with the other petitioner he was one of the two grocers in Taneatua. If the present award was enforced it would mean that they would be forced to close while all the rest of the business firms would remain open. It was usual on Saturday to see from 400 to 500 people in the town, as it was the recognised shopping day and most of the Maoris from the Native Schemes could find no other convenient day. He denied to Mr Barry that by remaining open he hoped for direct opposition to Whakatane. All he was worried about was his own customers.

Mr J. W. Gfoodhew described how at the Court of Arbitration he had represented the trade, and had played a part in having the right of appeal to the Magistrate’s Court inserted in the Act. He said that from the employees point of view the Wednesday holiday was very popular as it enabled them to visit Whakatane to do their necessary shopping. The Taneatua public had always regarded Saturday as their shopping day and found it convenient when winter and summer sports were on to come to town and do their shopping at the same time. To Mr Barry, he agreed that by overcoming the stipulations of the award, the grocers of Taneatua would be saving themselves li time pay on Saturday mornings and double tinie in the afternoon.

Rev. Wharetini Rangi (Anglican Minister) gave supporting evidence pointing out that from a population of near 800 natives at Ruatoki, some 60 per cent, dealt in Taneatua and depended upon the Saturday shopping, which had been unaltered for 25 years.

Mr Barry was about to introduce his case by observing that the stores concerned and run by the petitioners were general stores catering for all types of shopping, and carrying all varieties of stock. He considered therefore that the Retailers’ Association had a right to oppose the application.

The Magistrate pointed out that counsel would have difficulty in meeting the requirements of the section of the Act, which stipulated that a witness would have to show how the opening of the two shops had affected him personally. Merely expressing an opinion by saying that a person did not like them opening on Saturdays was not enough. It would be necessary to clearly show how the objector had been adversely affected. Mr Barry asked for an adjournment in order to allow him to recast his defence. This was granted for the April sitting.