THE GROCERY TRADE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 97, 10 September 1912, Page 6

THE GROCERY TRADE.

DEPUTATION TO THE Pi'lMii MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Welling'., in, Mowiiy. A deputation of mast-jr gmccrs v.ailed on the Prime Minister to-iay to e.t)i ; £-in tin difficulties under which Mior owing to the overlapping <>i the Shops and Offices Act and the .-:.chttr;i'ion Act awards. They pointed out that the later amendments to the Act were working so injuriously to trade that they could not comply with the present requirements of the Statute and do their business. They showed the difficulties as 'to carters. They had no objection to I overtime, but at Christmas time grocers had either to break the law or lose business, owing to the operations of the award. They urged that the word •'special" as relating to work be struck out, as well as the provision requiring "previous" permission from the inspector to do special work. The court should be given power in the matter, with reasonably adequate provisions for special work. Grocers should be under one Act or the other. Mr. Massey said it seemed to him that there ought to be a certain amount of elasticity in working conditions; otherwise there would be friction. Aa far as he could gather, it was impossible to comply with the strict lettor of the law. He did not think legislation should interfere with the awards of the court, except under special circumstances. He was unable to promise an amendment of the Shops Act this session, hut if one were introduced they would have an opportunity to give evidence before tho committee.