LAW AND BUSINESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 224, 21 August 1937, Page 9

LAW AND BUSINESS.

EMPLOYERS HARASSED. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. “When anyone becomes a responsible business man or executive his potentiality as a law-breaker ranks very high,” says the -official organ of tho New Zealand Federation of Drapers, Clothiers and Boot Retailers. The article, which is headed “Harassed Business Men,” refers to l‘tho growing tendency of departments and officials toward over-zeal in the enforcing of laws and regulations controlling the conduct of business. Trivial and trifling cases, or incidental and accidental breaches have been seized on as grounds for prosecutions, and our long-suffering magistracy - is beginning to complain at the waste of valuablo -time And money in bringing such cases to Court. In some cases these opinions have been followed by the summary dismissal of doubtful and trifling cases and the imposition of a nominal fine which expressed ' the Bench’s valuation of the extent of the ‘offence.’ ” Hope is expressed that judicial admonitions from the Magistrates will reach those responsible for administration of “our multitudinous laws affecting the running of a large business, and that where firms are doing their best to comply with these laws and observe them conscientiously, they will not be harassed or harried unnecessarily.” “What of the modern store?” the journal a6ks. “At the outset it conies under the Shops and Offices Act, and also the Factories Act, and the lengthy provisions of these laws have to be known thoroughly. Employees who are unionists come under various awards of the Arbitration Court. One firm may have its staff spread over seven or eight awards, with varying hours, holidays. wages and conditions of labour. “These awards are the law of the land and. all their provisions must be familiar to the employer at his peril. “Lifts and elevators in the 6tore come under the authority of the Marine Department. The milk supply for the tearooms is under the tripartite control of the Health Department. Agricultural Department, and local milk authority; all with very full and efficient laws and regulations. “Wa-ter supply, electricity and drainage come under local authorities except when the Health Department intervenes. There are occasions when overlapping between the State and the municipality mav cause confusion. When not busy with these a little time 'can be devoted to tariff problems, sales tax returns, and income tax prob,<3 “When we find shopkeepers prosecuted for allowing customers to lie w their shops five minutes.after the legal hours for being open and fined Is bvTsympathetic Magistrate,,we consider the* position begins to annionci intolerable limits, and. shopkeepers ' to c . Oo k protection from ParHa ment by asking that it be macD an offence for customers to ] X ours shopping premises a-ttw mgai without a lawful ereuae. __