NEXT WEEK’S HALF-HOLIDAY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 9

NEXT WEEK’S HALF-HOLIDAY

COUNTRY SHOPKEEPERS AND THE DAW.

Country shopkeepers who wished to tako their weekly half-holiday next week on Raster Saturday were advised in The Dominion a few days ago that they might do so by giving notice under the Shops and Offices Act of last session of thoir intention. One Manawatu business man who adopted this course, however. was informed by tho local inspector of factories that he had no authority to approve the change of day, and has written to inquire exactly what is the position. The authority for the statement made on March 15, under the heading "A Holiday Puzzle,” was Mr. W. A. Grenfell, secretary to the Wellington Employers Association, who stated that the information published is correct. Mr. Grenfell said: "On the question at issue the opinion of the Labour Department has been sought, and their reply is that under the section quoted in the article (section 11 of the Shops and Offices Act, as amended) the shopkeeper is entitled to alter the day of the half-holiday in the manner in which your correspondent has decided to act. My interpretation is .along tho linos indicated there, and I only expressed that opinion, and gave that advice after consultation with the officers of the Labour Department, who agreed that the course proposed is permissible, and is the only one that can be adopted in the circumstances. I have been advising storekeepers in other centres on the point, and suggested to them the adoption of a notice, addressed to the local inspector of factories, somewhat on these lines: — “'I hereby give you notice that I intend to observe the "statutory closing day” on Saturday, March 26, in lieu of Wednesday, March 23. I give this~Yiotice in accordance with the provisions of the proviso to subsection 2 of section 11 of the Shops and Offices Act, 1908 (as amended).’ "So far as the 'statutory closing day’ is concerned, that applies to all shopkeepers (except tjjose that are called 'exempted shops’), whether they are employers of labour or not.” Mr. Grenfell added that he suggested tteat the correspondent should propose to the inspector that the latter communicate with the Labour Department Wore faking any action. The correspondent may rely on the information given in thi article as correct. So long as he gives the notice he is fulfilling the law.