Shops and Offices Bill.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7879, 22 July 1905, Page 2

Shops and Offices Bill.

NEW PLYMOUTH SUGGESTIONS.

The Executive of the New Zealand Association at the last meeting discussed -the provisions oi the Shops and juices Bill now before Parliament, and authorised the secretary to forward the iollowing letter on the subject •the Chairman of the Labour Bills Committee, House ol Representatives.—Dear Sir,—ln accordance Willi your arrangement made with Mr h. v.; oodacre, Uiairmau o( the New Plymouth Traders' Association, we forward the following recommendations re the proposed alteration oi t/lie oiiops and Ollices Act, 11)01, and ask your careful consideration of tin. same

■•'that the payment of overtime shall not be enforced until 52 liouis work during any one week has been exceeded."

Discussion on the above resolution suggested that where special local holidays during any week caused shopKeepers to close Weil' establishmeiHS during some period of the day, assistants should be allowed to make up the time lost by working during Mie evening of any other day of the week.

'■' That the question of payment for overtime be left for mutual agi.ee,meiu 'between employer and employee, where holidays other than ihose allowed by the Act are given as an equivalent." Many ntms 'give their hands a week lor ten days' holiday annually and pay for the same; in such cases assistants are generally willing to work a little extra at busy times, or stock-taking without expecting remuneration. •

"That the word ' provided 'in line 7, clause 3, be retained, and so aHow business premises to remain open until 11 p.m. on Christmas and New Year Eves."

The amending Bill repeals the whole of clause 3.

We recommend,that Labour Day lie dropped'as a statutory holiday, and Empire Day substituted. ''That hairdressers' be included in the list of exemptions from early closing, and that all businesses under tlie exemption clause be allowed to retain their assistants, making such arrangements with them as is necessary for the successful carrying out. of their business."