FIXING A HALF HOLIDAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4682, 2 April 1924, Page 2

FIXING A HALF HOLIDAY.

ARBITRATION COURTS POWERS.

AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

The Appeal Court at Christchurch on Saturday unanimously decided in favour of the appellants in the appea' of New Brighton and Sumner grocers against the decision of Mr Justice Frazer, of the Arbitration Court, in which His Honour held that the suburban grocers were required to observe Saturday, instead of Wednesday. as the statutory half-holiday. The case was heaid by His Honour Mr Justice Frazer at a sitting of the Arbitration Court in Christchurch on February 20. Mr Alpers submitted that the Court of Arbitration had no jurisdiction over the suburban area, and that the provisions of the Shops and Offices Act, requiring Wednesday to be observed as the statutory halfholiday. could not be over-ridden oy the Arbitration Court.

His Honour gave hit! decision for the plaintiff, but consented to state a case for the Court of Appeal. The decision of the Higher Court in favour of the shopkeepers is of considerable interest and importance to the business people in the districts co’icei ned.

His Honour the Chief Justice remarked that the first question r.eallv asked the Court if, under the circumstances, the Arbitration Court had power to declare Saturday to be a statutory half-holiday. “ In may opinion.” His Honour went on, “ it had no sueh jurisdiction, and therefore had no power to make the award as it has made, it.” As to the other point. His Honour said the Arbitration Court had no power to vary the statutory half-holiday.

The other members of the Court eoncuired with the views of the Chief Justice.