SHOP HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21226, 24 September 1940, Page 4

SHOP HOURS AND HOLIDAYS

Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., has drawn attention to the probability of disputed amendments to the Shops and Offices Act being reintroduced in the House of Representatives in the near future and being made law in spite of considerable opposition. The clauses of the amendment in question were included in a Bill which caused strong debate in the last session, and half a dozen clauses were withdrawn for the time being. They relate chiefly to closing hours and halfholidays in shops. Power to fix the half-holiday and the opening and closing hours of shops would be taken out of the hands of the local authorities and reposed in the Arbitration Court. What it is hoped to gain by the amendment is rather obscure. Mr Wilkinson suggests the aim behind the movement is to make the Saturday half-holiday universal and to abolish the weekly late shopping night. It is tJUe that the new law would confer the right of appeal to a magistrate, but in that case the anomaly would arise of a magistrate hearing an appeal from the decision of a judge of superior status. If it is the intention that the magistrate on appeal should take into consideration local conditions and desires, why deviate from the present method of allowing the local authorities the option of fixing hours and holidays ? Unless compulsion in some form is contemplated there seems to be little reason for complicating the issue by adopting the proposed amendment. However desirable uniformity in shopping hours and holidays may appear to be from some points of view, compulsion is another matter. The main point at the moment seems to be whether there is a public demand for the legislation. Opinion in the House clashed sharply on the question, a nek it is desirable before the amendments again come before Parliament that the public’s attitude should be made known. If there is a general demand for the legislation, well and good; if not. there is a possibility that as a Government measure it will be passed through the House in the near future and the Arbitration Court will nominate the hours and holidays to be observed. If there is local objection the delay and expense of an appeal to a magistrate will be incurred. It is notable that even the Labour Party is not unanimous in support of the amendments, and it is desirable that the matter should be fully-discussed and understood before it is again brought before Parliament.