CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 199, 29 May 1914, Page 3

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Time of Closing Shops.

Those present at Monday night's meeting of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce and business men were Messrs Webster, Dell, Roadley, Patterson, Woollett, Townson, Smith, Eame?, Andrew, Jackson, Coady and Lusher. The special purpoee of the meeting was to consider the hour of closing shops in Pukekohe during week days other than Friday ß and Saturdays. The chairman explained that it seemed to the Chamber that a meeting should be callad to definitely settle the matter. He explained what had # been dooe when the petition recently went round. If the time of closirg were gazetted then those who came afterwards to the town to open business would be bound to close. Ona shopkeeper keeping open would result in others, who thought they might be affected, keeping open also. If all npened until a late hour then It would become a question as to whether it would pay. Besides the shopkeepers the employees had to be considered. He was in favour of the early closing they had had and would not like to go back to the long hours of the past. Mr Wcollett said the question now was whether thf.y would remain as they now wera or have the closiug hours gazetted. If the hour were gazetted it would bi illegal for him to serve after that hour. He would serve as long as he could and üblige his customers—but if he could not serve them, he could not. If he thought gazetting would stop backdoor trade he would say let it be gazetted and he would be prepared to lobo his extra trade. Mr Andraw moved, That an agreement be signed by shopkeepers, it being stipulated that so long as the hours agreed upon were observed no further action be taken, but if ore or two continue to keep open then the hours be gazetted. Mr Roadley asked what business Mr Andrew represented.

The chairman said Mr Andrew was present as secretary ot the Chamber of Commerce. In the course of sume discussion Mr Andrew said it was the intention of Roulston's to close at 5.30 during the winter months. Mr Roadley asked if that would meau that Roulston's employees would work shorter hours? Who was there when the lights were going? Mr Patterson rose to a point of order. He objected— Mr Roadley: I know all about your objections. Mr Patterson moved, That this meeting express its pleasure at the Chamber bringing this matter forward, and that the shopkeepers be asked to sign a petition fixng the hours of closing at 6 o'clock, except Fridays at 9 p.m. He thought it should be made cumpulsory. If Mr Andrew's idea weie given effect to then the new shopkeepers would not be bound. But if the hours were gazetted then Roulston's shop could not have its hands back. The chairman said it was clear there were not sufficient business people present to decide this question.

Mr Roadley, surveying the room, described the business of those present individually* and he held that Mr Patterson and himself were the only two interested. The other 28 shopkeepers who had signed were so satisfied that they did not come to this meeting. His keeping open until 8 o'clock had put nothing upon any employee, and he auked anybody to show him that his remaining open had done anybody any harm. Mr Patterson's reply was that in addition to book he kept other goods and if he kept open the other shopkeepers would not let him go on long. By his keeping open others would do so also, which would mean that they would all be open. Mr Dell said if some kept open all of them would plso do so. Mr Woollett said he would now support the proposal to gazette the hours, and seconded Mr Patterson's motion.

Mr Ruadley said there were 42 shopkeepers in Pukekohe and only seven were at this meeting. Mr Woollett said although they were not here they could sign the petition. The motion was carried by 7 to J.

Messrs Webster and Woollett were appointed to take the petition to the shopkeepeiß for signature.