Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 1904. That Shops and Offices Act.

Manawatu Herald, 8 December 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] THURSDAY, DEC. 8, 1904. That Shops and Offices Act.

Deputations are still waiting on the Premier with regard to the above Act and its meaning. The confectioners of Wellington city are the latest to find their way to the Prime Minister’s haunts. Prom Mr Seddon’s remarks, in answer to the deputation, it would appear the Act will have to undergo alteration considerably by Parliament when op-

porfcunity permits. He said ; —“ So far as the working of this Act was concerned, until Parliament got the opportunity to review is, he should use simply common sense, and, consistent with what the Legislature had done, he should not apply it in any Draconian manner. He did not think it was intended to be administered that way. As to the man and wife, if the wife simply went into the shop while the husband was away on business, his own opinion was that that would not constitute her as an assistant, and no magistrate in the country would convict a shopkeeper under those circumstances. If, however, she was constantly in the shop, and acting as an assistant, his opinion was that the magistrate would convict. They must, he remarked in conclusion, take the earliest opportunity to have the Act amended, but as to a special session of Parliament being called for that purpose, the general public were absolutely indifferent as to the hours of closing.”