SUBURBAN SHOP HOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 268, 2 February 1928, Page 11

SUBURBAN SHOP HOURS

MANY WANT EXTENSION NO MAGISTRATE AVAILABLE Already hundreds of applications for exemption from the hours provisions in the Shops and Offices Act have been made by small shopkeepers, who are taking advantage of the new Act to have their causes heard before a magistrate instead of leaving it in the hands of the Arbitration Court, as previously was the case. A difficulty in dealing immediately with the situation lias arisen, however, as the hands of Auckland magistrates are already full, and one is not procurable from outside districts to adjudicate upon the shopkeepers’ cases. Endeavours are being made to have a a day set aside next week for the hearing of all the applications in the Auckland district. Country shopkeepers are protesting daily at the provisions in the amended Act with respect to tobacconists, and the sale of their goods during certain hours. Mr. Arthur Lynne, secretary of the New Zealand Small Shopkeepers’ Association, says only about five per cent, of the shops are straight-out tobacconists, and he believes the intention of the Government was not to penalise the big majority for the sake of a chosen few. When the applications for exemption from the hours provisions come before the magistrates, all small shops belonging to the association will ask for extension of Suburban shop hours to eight o’clock in the evening, providing always that the assistants cease work at the time stipulated in the award.