In Spite Of...

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 1

In Spite Of...

(N.Z. Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 3. Waitara retailers have decided to go ahead with their proposal to have a late shopping night on Wednesdays, in spite of a Labour Department ruling that it would be illegal, and also in spite of the opposition of the Taranaki Shop Assistants’ Union.

A meeting of the Waitara Retailers’ Association agreed on the scheme, although Some members’ pointed out it would require an act of Parliament to make it legal.

Told of the decision tonight, the district officer of the Labour Department (Mr S. C. McConnell) said that if the shops opened and directly contra-

vencd the closing hours provisions of the various awards involved, the department would be compelled to enforce the law. A spokesman for the Taranaki Shop Assistants' Union said the union would protect its members, but he would not say what steps it would take.

The retailers plan to hold the first late Wednesday night on February 23 during the week of the town’s water carnival.

The retailers’ secretary (Mr N. Harris) said that 23 members of the membership of nearly 60 attended the meeting and five opposed the plan.

The association was “fully aware” of the illegal nature of the decision.