SHOP CLOSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3752, 16 February 1907, Page 2

SHOP CLOSING.

Some time since, a petition was sent to the Minister of Labour by a majority of the shop-keepers of Foxton, fixing the hours of closing under “ the Shops and Offices Act, 1905.” The time of closing to keep within the, 52 hours was fixed and gazetted as follows : Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays to close at 6 p.m., Wednesday being a half-holiday to close at 12 noon, Saturdays at 10 p.m. We understand that the shop-keepers do not intend to close until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. The local Inspector communicated this fact to the Chief Inspector, and asked his advice. He has received the following letter: — “ I am in receipt of your letter of the 7th inst, in which you ask if shopkeepers wouM have to pay overtime to their assistants if kept 53 hours per week. I may say they would. Although the requisition fixes the hours at 53 per week, this refers to the shop-closing, and not to the hours to be worked by the assistants, so that if such assistants work the full time the shops are open, then the extra hour must be paid for at the end of each week. In regard to your further question as to the position of tobacconists and Chinamen: I may say that the requisition is general, and applies to shops of all classes — J. Mack ay, Chief Inspector,’’

This letter puts the position clearly before the shopkeepers, who, if they fail to close at noon on Wednesdays, will be compelled to pay the employees one hour over-time per week.