HOURS OF SHOPS.

Evening Star, Issue 22462, 6 October 1936, Page 11

HOURS OF SHOPS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Along with most retail traders, the grocers of the Dominion are endeavouring to arrive at a solution of the shorter hour problem. The hours suggested in your Wednesday’s ‘ Star ’ will certainly not be acceptable to the majority. Fifteen minutes deducted off morning and evening on four days and an hour off on Fridays are of no advantage to anyone. 1 believe lam correct in saying that one purpose of this legislation was to provide more leisure time for recreation, but where is the gain, or what can one do with 15 minutes at these odd times of the day? In my opinion, the only solution is. the granting of increased hours, Monday to Friday, and closing all day Saturday. If the grocers of the Dominion, through their associations, approached the Government expressing their willingness to accept the five-day week providing that every shop selling groceries of any' description had to adopt the same hours, we would then be progressing. Further, some may argue that Saturday closing would not suit the public, and I would ask what article in a grocer’s shop is there which could not be procured on days previous to Saturdays? There is a decided movement by employers to pay wages at the beginning of the week, and as this becomes more universal the business will bo spread moro over the earlier part of the week. A correspondent, Observer,” in tonight’s ‘ Star ’ wonders if the Labour Department is cheeking the hours worked. My experience is that the department is doing its best under conditions which make it almost impossible to keep a proper check. Saturday closing would simplify the position and be, in the end, an advantage to all.— I am, etc.. Progress. October 5. TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —Why should 50 per cent, of the people have Saturday free while the rest have to work? From what I can gather there is discontent amongst those who have to work on Saturdays. For instance, take the bakers’ carters, the majority of whom start work on a Saturday morning between .‘5 and 5 and go all day. Why. 1 ask, should this bo so? People could surely got .sufficient bread on Friday to last till Monday. Then there is the grocer, who in the short time on Saturday morning is run off his feet, although ho is open till 9 on Friday nights.— I am, etc., ■lO Hours For All. October 6.