MARINE SUBURBS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18417, 25 June 1925, Page 8

MARINE SUBURBS.

HALF-HOLIDAY QUESTION

PEOPLE'S WILL SHOULD PREVAIL. vsrsu.ci, "i> "'•rau press.") WELUXGTOX, June -.M. That no Court or provision of the lew should override the* opinion of the people was the view expressed by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. G. J. Anderson" replying to a deputation of Xew JSrighton shopkeepers this moruThe deputation sought the assistance of the Minister in regard to the weekly hali'-holiday. It was stated that the people of Xew Brighton, the Christehuieh seaside resort, desired "Wednosdav as tb.o shopping half-holiday, and tli»; shopkeepers also preferred Wednesday, because .of the number of visitors to" the suburb on Saturday afternoon. Tho Arbitration Court, however, stipulated in its award that the shops should be closed on Wednesday as well nv. on Saturday, provided that if the shopkeepers elected to close on Saturday, they would not be obliged to close on* "Wednesday. The matter lias been tho subject of appeal, but without redress to tho shopkeepers. Tho deputation made a strong point of the fact that the people's wish had been nulliiied by the Court. The" Minister said it was impossible fiir him to vary tho Court's decision. "It is quite possible," he said, "that wo may bo able to effect an amendment to the" Shops and Offices Act this session, because there have, been a number of clauses inserted in awards which have created very much worry amongst tho people, concerned. The., Act lays down certain hours during which shops should close, but the Court lias power to vary that, and it has done so. This has caused trouble in some cases. I can't alter the awards of tho Court. It would be wrong for niei to attempt to do so, and I would not be a party to such a thing. It would bo much the same as legislating to alter a decision of the Supreme Court.'' If it was laid down in tho Act that the half-lioli-day was to be observed genorally on a certain day, an injustice would bo dono to many people, including farv...-, who preferred to come to tow:, «n "Saturday. In cases where the half-holiday was decided upon by a poll of tho people, that decision should stand, and he diu not think the Arbitration Court should be able to affect it. Mr Anderson said he would consider the question and consult Cabinet upon tlie possibility* of altering tho law in respect to peoplo such as tho shop* keepers, so that when the. people expressed a preference their decision should not bo overridden by any other power. t