SHOP HOURS BILL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 387, 24 July 1889, Page 5

SHOP HOURS BILL.

The second reading;; of this BJI was moved lasb evening: by Mr Joyce, who dwelt at some length upon the widespread desire expressed in the colony to limit the hours of labour in shops. He urged that the colony should secure for its young people freedom find not bondage, and quoted newspaper reports at great length to show the extent of the desire for legislation on the subject. Mr Fish considered the Bill would not accomplish Mr Joyce's benevolent intentions, because it would not prevent em ployees from remaining- in shops from six o'clock in the morning to eight o'clock at night — one hour after the time fixed for closing, or fifteen hours say in all. If it had simply provided that shop employees should not be kept at work after six o'clock he would have heartily supported it, but it would be unfair to compel all small traders to close at seven, seeing that many of them only did business after the larger establishments closed. Mr Turnbull opposed the measure with regret because it really meant nothing. Dr. Fitchett supported the Bill, agreeing that the State should regulate the hours of labour as long as it did not interfere with the liberties of the subjects. He thought, however, it could be improved in Com i mittee. Messrs GoJdie, W. J. Stewart, W. D. Stuarb, O'Connor, Bruce, li. H. Reoves, T Moss, Allen, and Feldwick ga ve more or less modified support to the Bill, seveial of them reserving the liberty to amend it when in Committee. Messrs Izard, Moat, Duncan, Menteath, and Blake opposed the Bill. Mr Joyce in replying said the Bill could be amended so as to provide that it should only be brought into operation by resolution of the borough councils. The second reading was then agreed to.