A. ROSSER.j

45

I.—9a.

18. So that you recognize it is reasonable that a certain amount of time should be given to allow employers to put their shops in order I —Yes, so long as it is restricted, and no actual sale of goods is allowed. I am in favour of working overtime if it is actually necessary. A well-regulated shop has a man to put up packages and tins and make up orders. 19. Would you support employers having the right to ask their employees back to make up orders? —Under a permit system I would do it. 20. Is there not sufficient protection to the men when the employer knows that he will have to pay time and a half and the Labour Department has the right to inspect the wages-book?— No, not sufficient. 21. Surely the men are able to protect themselves?—We are strong for the permit. 22. Is it not a fact that in the award the 2nd January is given —that it is not a regular holiday under the Shops and Offices Act?— Yes, but it has always been allowed in Auckland as much as New Year's Day. The " steeple " is run on that day.

Rev. J. Dawson, representing the New Zealand Alliance, examined. (No. 19.) Witness: We desire to bring before you the recommendation that there should be included in the Shops and Offices Bill a new clause —subsection (3) to section 1?., in reference to the hotelbars being closed. We suggest a new subsection to read as follows: "On the statutory closingday it shall not be lawful to sell any intoxicating liquor as defined by the Licensing Act, 1908, on any licensed premises as defined by the said Act, whether in a separate or combined district, after the hour of one o'clock in the afternoon." This clause is drafted on the one which applies to election day. We suppose that the clause as there embodied under the Act is an effective one, and we suppose it will be effective on the half-holiday. The reasons that actuated us in seeking the amendment are, first, in the interests of labour. We think it is equally important that those who labour in the bar should have a settled day as it is for any other section to have a trade holiday. We want to emphasize this : that we want to deal with the bar trade only. We do not ask that the hotels shall be closed. We recognize that they have a legitimate business to carry on, but the bar trade is not part of that. The bars ran be closed to the benefit of all concerned, while providing for the travelling public is a necessity. The second reason is in the interest of general trade. We are satisfied from what takes place the general trade suffers because the bars are open on the half-holiday. The money goes in that direction, which in the general interest ought to go to general trade. Our third reason is the most important one. It is the interest of the well-being of the community that there should be these restrictions to the bar trade as is imposed on other businesses. In fact, it is more important. The waste of substance, the waste of strength, the amount of drunkenness, amount of crime, that is created through the bar being open while men have time on their hands, we submit, so far unfits men for their work that the bar should be closed for every moment of the statutory half-holiday. Speaking generally, they do a cash trade. They scoop up the money, and leave the men for the necessary trade short of money. And now in reference to clause 27. We should like to see that clause restricted also. Fifty-eight hours is provided in that section. It is too long a time for a woman to be asked to work. On five days of the week they may be called upon to do eleven hours' solid work, and for three hours on the holiday. If we rightly understand the clause they may be called upon for an extra three hours on any one day, or ninety hours (hiving the year. We think, at any rate for barmaids, the hours should be shortened. We urge that the employees should have one day's rest of twenty-four hours in every seven days. Indeed, we believe it is in the interests of the community that the bar traffic should be brought under the Shops and Offices Act, and that they should not be allowed to open the bar before 8 o'clock, nor to continue after 6 o'clock. Mr. Davey: You are going outside the order of reference. This applies to the Licensing Act. It does not come in the Act we are considering. Witness: I appreciate that, but I wish to indicate that such are our convictions, if I may be allowed to mention it. As representatives of the No. 3 Alliance we know there is a very general demand for the half-holiday to apply to hotel-bars as much as to any business. A large number of petitions have been brought from Auckland to Parliament this session asking that this shall be done, and we earnestly urge rhis amendment to section 13 he part of the Bill. 1. Mr. Okey.] You say " just the same as election day." Do you know that the bars are opened at the close of the poll? Do you suggest that?— Our suggestion is that they shall not sell after 1 o'clock. 2. Mr. Anderson.] It has been suggested by another witness that lollies and confectionery are sold at Auckland on Sunday?—lt is not confined to Auckland : it prevails in Wellington.

Rev. Mr. Comrie, representing the New Zealand Alliance, examined. (No. 20.) Witness: I appear to support Mr. Dawson, and to emphasize the point he has made that to keep the hotels open on the half-holiday leads to an excess of drinking that would not prevail on another day. Many men spend money directly they receive it, and the first channel is the one that receives the money. I knew a farm labourer who would work for three months, and when he received his cheque he would buy himself a suit of clothes, boots, and other requirements. He then went to the publichouse and never left it until his last penny had gone. If the publichouse was open and the shops closed, the chances are he would have to go back without the necessities. That may be said to be an extreme case. Well, perhaps it is; but to a large extent that