N.Z. SHOPKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1040, 1 February 1911, Page 6

N.Z. SHOPKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

— <>. THE STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY, Messrs. T. Quorce (president), Sherwood, Alorau, isash, Searen, Arniit, Kuch, Miiiington, M'Kenzie, and Bolton were present at a meeting of the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association held yesterday The action of the Trades and Labour Council in its attempt lo obtain suiticient signatures for application for z poll to Be taken to decido the day of iue statutory naif holiday was discussed. in' tne opinion of tno executive committee nothing other than what may u« termed matters of a national character 1 should be matters for a referenuum. Why (it was argued by members) should inunicix>al electors have the power ot dictating to shopkeepers tho aay on y/hich. they shall ciosc tneir places of business? K.ectors, knowing little about tho requirements of the shopkeeper, might, through a mere whim, vote in sufficient strength to bring about a half-hohuay on Saturday. If a referendum was to be taken, it should bo confined to the shopkeepers themselves, it was pointed out that, two years ago, an attempt was made by the Trades and Labour Council to havo a poll taken in Christchurch,. Duniidin, and Nelson. In each case the attempt failed, and in all probability it would fail again, but'that fe-eling o£ uncertainty should not hang over the head of the shopkeeper. The following resolution was carried:. "That the New Zealand Shopkeepers' Association strongly protests against the, legislation provided in section 5 of 'the Shops and Ollices Act Amendment, 1308; that in tho' opinion cf. this association, no matter, other than that of a national character should be submitted to a referendum. The selection of tho day on. which the statutory half-holiday shall be held is.one of'vital importance to shopkeepers, and should bo decided by shopkeepers alone." It was resolved that this resolution be forwarded on to tho Minister for Labour. .'.■_' Section 13 of tho Shops and Offices Amendment Act; 1910, was severely criticised. It provides: "Every shop shall be registered: by the occupier thereof with the inspector of factories in the name of' one person as occupier and, except in the case of a husband or wife, as the" case may be, any other persons engaged in the ' business qf the shop shall be deemed to bo shop assistants. In order to prevent evasion<of- this.section the name of the occupier shall not bs changed except for some sufficient reason to the satisfaction' ot the inspector." It was resolved that the secretary should write to the Minister for Labour in protest, and that he should also write to the secretaries of the Employers' Association and Chamber of Commerce asking for support in endeavouring to have . the section amended or repealed. . Ihe feeling of the meeting was expressed to the effect that .such legislation was going too far. One member 'remarked that it was a .good old saying "That an linglishman's house is his castle," but,'ho added, it certainly cannot be said that' a.shopkeeper has anything in this nature in New Zealand.: . ■