SUBURBAN SHOPS

Evening Star, Issue 19664, 17 September 1927, Page 3

SUBURBAN SHOPS

NEW MEASURE AMENDS HOURS ELEMENT OF FAIR COMPETITION [From Uca rarliamextakv Reporiee.] WELLINGTON, September IG. If satisfied that ; lor the purposes of fair competition, it is expedient to fix. tho closing hours of shops in areas outside those covered by the award, tho Arbitration Court may do so, according to an amendment made to the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill by the Local Bills Committee. If passed as amended, the measure will come into operation on November 1 this year. Under tho terms of another amendment it is provided that local authorities may, in any special ease, apply to the Minister, so that in any particular week a day other than the statutory closing day' may bo observed as the half-holiday Retailors of motor spirits and oil are granted similar exemptions to those enjoyed by tobacconists and certain others, and need not close their premises for the half-holiday on any day of the week. Special provisions are made as to tho sale of, smokers’ requisites by persons other than tobacconists. When a requisition lias been signed by not less than two-thirds of ■_ the tobacconists in any district, and iho necessary formal stops have been taken, all other shops selling tobacco shall observe' tobacconists’ hours. When the requisition lias been gazetted all shopkeepers selling tobacco shall notify tho inspector. Hotels, private hotels, and hoardinghouses arc exempted from these provisions. Several amendments rolcr to fruiterers’ shops, each of which must bo registered in the name of one proprietor as the occupier. This applies in all fruit shops where two persons arc engaged, whether ns assistants or not. All persons other than the husband or the wife of the registered occupier shall be deemed assistants. T 1 requested by an inspector, tho registered occupier of a fruit shop must post up in a conspicuous place a time-table in English showing the working hours of each assistant, and no assistant shall be employed other than in the hours mentioned. H any alteration is made an inspector must be notified.

All specific references (n Asiatics have been deleted from the Bill. Two amendments refer to meals for shop assistants. Where there are more than five women employed the occupier of a shop shall provide a suitable dining room and cloak room, if the women' cannot reasonably obtain their meals at home within the time at their disposal No allowance for meals need he paid to a male assistant who has worked an hour more than usual if he can go home for a meal without locomotion expenses within tho time at his disposal. Tt is lawful for an assist--11 ft to ho employed for fift°en minutes after closing time'if engaged in serving a. customer, or on duties arising therefrom, or if balancing his cash.