SHOP HOURS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 5

SHOP HOURS

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INVESTIGATES SITTING AT AUCKLAND To investigate and report on the working of the Shops and Offices Act. the special committee appointed by the Government opened its sittings in Auckland yesterday afternoon. The members of the committee are: Mr. A. .T. Murdoch. M.P. for Marsden, chairman; Mr. C. TT. Clinkard, M.P. for Rotorua; Mr. K. J. Howard, M.P. for Christchurch South; Mr. H. Holland. M.P. for Christchurch North; Mr. \V Newton, Secretary of Labour; Mr. A. tV. Croskery, representing workers’ organisations; and Mr. E. Eldridge. representing small shopkeepers. Mr. F. Grieve, of Auckland, is secretary of the committee. At sittings in Wellington, Dunedin. Timaru, and Christchurch, a considerable amount of evidence has already been heard, and various suggestions have been made for the alteration of the Act. The object of the committee is to ascertain the wishes of the various parties concerned, and also to hear evidence as to hardships and anomalies with a view to bringing down a comprehensive report for the use of Parliament when a new Act to regulate .'hops and offices is being considered. Though the committee will hear all relevant evidence, persons desiring to give such evidence are expected to advise the secretary, in order to secure an appointment. The committee will not visit the towns outside of the lour main centres unless the evidence offering warrants such a visit. Yesterday afternoon evidence was given in private by flower and fruitgrowers asking that no restrictions should be placed upon the hours of sale of cut flowers and New Zealand - grown fruit. Orchardists also asked for the right to sell fruit at their orchards direct to the public at any time, including Sundays. Jewellers asked for an extension of from 15 minutes to half an hour as the period of grace during which an assistant may be employed after closing hours in putting away goods; that Anzac Day be observed on a Sunday: that all shops in the trade be closed on January 1 and 2, Good Friday, blaster Saturday, Faster Monday. Christmas Day. and Boxing Day. and that the closing hour on the Friday immediately preceding Christmas Day be 10 p.tn. The sittings will be continued at 10 am. on Monday, and the committee will later go to Rotorua to hear evidence as to the special requirements arising from the tourist traffic at Rotorua and Taupo.