EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 441, 29 January 1890, Page 3

EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

RESULT OF THE CANVASS. Auckland, January 23. Some interesting information as to the in* clination and desires of shopkeepers in refei\ nee to the early closing movement was given at a meeting of the Early Closing Committee of the Knights of Labour, held at the Lorne-street Hall last evening. Four canvassers who had been appointed to in*' terview the various shopkeeper? in city and suburbs handed in tne result of their labours, and the result was considered fairly satistactory. _ Mr French reported as follows: “ I waited on 152 storekeepers.of whom 58 were in lavour of closing at b p. m. on five days of 1 the week, and 52 m favour of Closing 9 p.m. Saturdays. Seventy-four were in favour of 7 p.m. live days a week, and 83 in lavour of 10 p.m. Saturday. One draper in Ponsouby suggested 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. Saturdays.' One( Victoria-street)suggested6.3op.m ,and’ 10 Saturday. Onegiocerin Ponsonbysug* gested to "close the first three days at) 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 p.m. Six persons' would nob sign, but stated they would be quite willing to close it others did. Twenty*.' three reiused to sign (some being large drapers, did npt give reasons, but statbd that they could not sign). 1 louud nearly all second-hand shops objected to sign, nearly; all stating that their business was done at a late hour. Pork butchers made same object tion. I found in different parts of city and suburbs ditleienb hours suited ; for instance in Pitt-street and top part of Hobson*street the majority were in favour of seven p.m., Lower Hobson-etreet in favour of six p.m., Victoria-street in favour of seven p.m., College Road, Alma Place, and Franklin Road in lavour of six p.ra., Wel-lesley-street, Cook-street and surrounding streets to Freeman’s Bay in favour of seven p.m., Jervois Road in lavour of seven p.mj and Ponsouby Road in favour of six p.m. I> am giad to report that most of the small shops were in favour of closingearlier. Amongst objections, the following reasons were given :— 4 1 do not employ, labour, therefore I should beat liberty to close when I like.’ Small boot, shops could not close on account of persons bringing, work in the evenings. Bakers could not close on account of selling, small goods. Fruiterers (coming under heading of refreshments) could not close. There seems to bo a difficulty with grocers, many keeping fruit, lemonade, etc. ; they would not sign. For instance, in Ponsonby Road there are two shops near each other. I called on one, but the owner would not sign. I then called on the other, and was asked if their neighbour signed. I replied no, and they stated that if the other would sign they would. I therefore went back to see if I could obtain the signature, but they refused. Consequently No. 2 party would not sign. Others burnt gas in the shop in the evenings, and did their work there in hopes of catching a few custoonrs. It did not cost any more for gas, and they often sold a few things.” Another canvasser stated in his report that the greatest opponents to the early closing movement insinuated that it was simply a 44 dodge ” of the Queen-street shopkeepers to net the trade more completely into their hands. Others were ready to tollow the crowd. This canvasser summarised his experiences as lollows “ Soic goo Us-men, with a few exceptions, seem afraid ot driving their trade into the hands of the tew who will not close except by Act of Parliament. The ultimate cure is to get the Act. “ Ironmongers are divided in their opinions, some saying that 4 The trade is worth less than the gas after six ;’ while others say (whether truly or not) that 4 They would lose a third of their business it they closed at that hour.’

‘‘Bootmakers are just as difficult to understand, and in about the same proportion say the same. “ Watchmakers seem to say, with more reason, that ‘ To earn a living these times, thej have to work till ten or eleven o’clock at night,’ and add * that they may as well have the door open and catch the odd customer that chance affords. - “ Butchers seem a more plucky race, and are first to start in the right direciion, and say that if all 01 her trades close late they will stick to their principles. More power to them i “ Bakers, without exception, would be glad to rffose early, and even seem to hope later rising in the morning may become possible. “Fruiterers, curious as it may seem, are not so strongly against early clo-ing as might be expected. in one instance (and that a leading one) a wish was expressed that * six all through the week was the time, and half a holiday on Wednesday.’ “ Fancy shops seem frightened to close, lest the few opposed to early closing, who sell some of their wares, should injure them ; otherwise, they would be Only too glad to close eany. “Pork butchers would sooner close all day than shut at night; most trade being done sfcer six.

“ Taffors are frightened of Queen street. “Grocers seems to think things might be managed better, but don’t seem ,to agree exactly as to time. “ Second-hand shops (clothing line) do most business after dark. “Upholsterers quite in favour. The greatest objection raised to subscribing to the cause is ‘ that they gave largely last time, only to have the pleasure of seeing the promoters of early closing the first to break the law.’ “ There is one cure for the present state of affairs, viz., join the Knights of Labour and boycott everyone who is too selfish "to close, and deal with him neither by night nor day.” The other canvassers having reported verbally in somewhat similar terms, a lengthy discussion took place, and it was finally resolved as follows:—“ The Committee, having heard She reports of the canvassers, beg to record their gratification at hearing that a large number of tradesmen are in favour of closing at six p.m., but as the majority of tradesmen are favourable to closing at seven p.m., we now decide to adopt, as the hours of universal closing seven p.m. on the first five days of the week (except on evenings before holidays), and ten p.m. on Saturdays, commencing on Monday, 3rd February, 1890.”

It was also resolved to have 150 posters printed, cal iog on all eitizenssto abstain from shopping after those hours, and to avoid late hour shops ; also 10,000 handbills for circulation setting out fully >.» he necessity for a general public movement in order to bring about the much to-bQ-desired result.