VIEWS OF HASTINGS RETAILERS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 144, 6 July 1937, Page 8

VIEWS OF HASTINGS RETAILERS

Conditions of Award and Taxation MINISTER'S ATTITUDE Various matters relating to conditions, particularly to _ the proposed award for shop and office employees and the sale tax and exchange rate, were dealt with by a deputation from the Hastings Ketailcrs' Association when .they waiftd upon the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industry and Commerce, last evening. The deputation was headed by Mr C. Griffiths, president of the association, who briefly mentioned t.hat his associates would in turn deal wit.h one particular aspeet, the various matters being treated mainly from the angle of what effect they would have on the constiming publie. The question of the award governing shops and cffices was dealt with by Mr Y. A. Westerman, who urged the neeessity of differentiating between city and country in the conditions and wages of the ward. He contended that the city and town distinctly differed, and he favoured something in the nature of a sliding scale that would allow for a maxginal employer and a marginal employee as between city and town. Mr G. Boach referred specifically to the saies tax and exchange rate, and contended that they imposed an imposition on the consumer. He pointed out that the selling price to the consumer had been raised by as much as onethird since the s,ales tax of 5 per cent actually worked out at 10 per cent, and British goods had risen 12 per cent, and foreign goods even more, as the result of the exchange. "What we ask is, briefly, that as soon as possible the Government gradually reduce these taxes, so that it will be possible to restore the £ in full value to the consumer and particularly to the worker," he said. "The reduction would mean a big thing to ihe comraunjty." Half-Hollday Question As a representative of the Thursday Half-Holiday Association, Mr H. R. French concerned himself with the provision in the proposed Shops and Offices Employees' award declaring that no work shall be done on Saturday afternoon." He pointed out that three times in Hastings the question of the lato shopping .night had been placed bei'ore the people and there had been a growing majority on eaeh successive occasion in favour of Friday late night. "We feel that in the country districts, and certainly some of the country towns, that the people should1 have the right to determine the hours of shopping on late nights," he said. "We don't think that any section in an award should override the wishes of the people generally.' Minister to Repiy Replying, Mr Sullivan said that as rcgards the question of exchange and saies tax, he was not in a position, as a single member of Cabinet, to mahe any statement. "Frankly, and quite personally, I think that the bTinging back of the exchange would prove an exceedingdly difficult problem, which, if not handled with the greatest exercise of delicacy and care, could aecomplish more harm than good on account of the many readjustments required. Both matters are to be eonsidered by the Government, and in the right time they will be dealt with in the light ot the needs of the country. I can't see much chance of any alteration in the exchange rate for the timo being." N Coneerning the matters affecting the nward as raised by the deputation, the Minister doubted whether he should tiave allowed the matters to have been raised in view of the fact that they were now being discu&sed under the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court. However, he had no desire to deny the deputation the right to mcntion the matters they felt concerned them, though he felt that in doing so they were taking an unfair advantage in making their views publie, while no opportunity was afforded the other side to take a simiiar course. He pointed out that the vicws expressed would be placed before the Conciliation Council and later the Arbitration Court. but for the. 'Government to take in hand the reduction of the powers of that Court, he contended, would be to create an impossible and intolerable position. The Arbitration Court, he said, also represented the consumers, the third party in the dispute, and it would determine what it eonsidered to be in the inlerests df all concerned. "I think you should have faith that the Court will do what is right," be said. "Tt would be wrong of me to express an .jpinion on the matter before the Court ha* come to its decision." Mr Sullivan concluded by voicing the opinion that the retailers of New Zealand generally were at present enjt yiiig pretty prosperous days, and the indications were that they would continue to do so for some time yet.