SHOPKEEPERS' PUZZLE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2604, 28 October 1915, Page 3

SHOPKEEPERS' PUZZLE.

ABOUT SATURDAY NEXT. Monday last (Labour Day) was the first general .holiday observed in Wellington since the general Saturday closing came into operation, and that being so, many of tho shopkeepers are'somewhat puzzled as to how they .stand, when a full holiday is observed'during the. week, and Friday has to be retained as the 'late night.' At first glance the matter.'mayappear a simpio one —the shops will keep'open* on Saturday, instead' of closing, as is usual. -That is precisely :what they are entitled- to do'. < But -the point which was puS, to the officials of the Labour Department yesterday was liow' late will they be able to do business on Saturday night-. ;. "As late as they like—midnight, if they care to," was the reply. That would give them two late nights in the week—Friday aiid Saturday. .What about the awards?' "Ah!" said the official, "you must not confuse the two things—the " closing hours of shops with the hours of employment for assistants. They do not dovetail. A shopkeeper may keep his shop open as late as ho likes on Saturday next, but he may not bring his assistants back who have worked late on the Friday." . ' Somewhat involved, isn't it? "Perhaps it is. Then there is another complication. In the case wlier#the closing hours have been fixed by tho requisition of those employed in a particular class of business, those,people will have to' adhere, to the. closing hour's so arranged." -\ The effect will bo that most- of the shops will remain open on Saturday next until 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., whilst smaller establishments, where no assistants are employed, may keep open an hour or two later.