SHOPS AND OFFICES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3693, 20 September 1927, Page 3

SHOPS AND OFFICES.

AMENDMENTS TO BILL.

If satisfied that, for the purposes of fair competition, it is expedient to fix the closing hours of shops in areas outside those ed by an award the Arbitration Court may do so, according to an amendment made to the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill by the Local Bills Committee. If passed as amended, the measure will come into operation on Ist November this year. Under the terms of another amendment, it is provided that local authorities may in any special case apply to the Minister, so that in any particular week a day other than the statutory closing day may be observed as a half-holiday. Retailers of motor spirits and oils are granted similar exemptions to those enjoyed by tobacconists and certain others, and need not close their premises for a half-holi-day on any day of a week. Special provisions are made, as to the sale of smokers’ requisites by persons other than tobacconists. When a requisition has been signed by not less than two-thirds of the tobacconists in any district, and the necessary formal steps have been taken, all the other shops selling tobacco shall observe tobacconists’ hours. When the requisition has been gazetted all shopkeepers selling tobacco shall notify the inspector. Hotels and private hotels and boarding-houses are exempted from these provisions. uSeveral amendments refer to fruiterers’ shops, each of which must be registered in the name of •one proprietor as the occupier. This applies in all fruit shops where two persons are engaged, whether as assistants or not. All persons other than the husband or wife of a registered occupier shall be deemed to be assistants. If requested by the inspector, the registered occupier of a fruit shop must post up in a conspicuous jfiace a time-table in English showing the working hours of each assistant, and no assistant shall be employed other than the hours mentioned. If any alteration is made the inspector must be notified. All specific references to Asiatics have been deleted from the Bill.

Two amendments refer to meals for shop assistants. Where there are more than five women employed the occupier of the shop shall provide a suitable dining-room and cloakroom if the women cannot reasonably obtain meals at home within the time at their disposal. No allowance for a meal need be paid to a male assistant who has worked an hour more than usual if he can go home for a meal without locomotion expenses within the time at his disposal.

A further amendment makes it lawful for an assistant to be employed for fifteen minutes after closing time if engaged in serving a customer, or in duties arising therefrom, or if balancing cash.