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REPORTS. No. 106. —Petition of R. A. Campbell and 108 Others. Praying for a more rigid enforcement of the Police Offences Act in regard to Sunday trading. I am directed to report that, as the petitioners have not exhausted their legal remedy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 31st August, 1927.

Shops and Offices Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 16th September, 1927.

No. 9.—Petition of W. Brims and 1,175 Others. Praying that the closing-hours of business premises be fixed by Parliament instead of Arbitration Courts, and that Magistrates be empowered to grant exemptions to shopkeepers. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition has been carefully considered when framing the amendments to the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1927.

Inspection op Machinery Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recom mends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 23rd September, 1927.

No. 70. —Petition of S. E. Hill and 1,169 Others. Praying that the closing-hours of shops be fixed by Parliament instead of Arbitration Courts, and that Magistrates be empowered to grant exemptions to small shopkeepers. I am directed to report that, as the prayer of the petition has been carefully considered when framing the amendments to the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 27th September, 1927.

Daylight Baking Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee, having heard evidence from representatives of employers and employees, recommends that during the recess the Minister of Labour summon a conference of master bakers and their employees, with a view to arranging, if possible, a means of giving effect to the proposals for daylight baking adopted by the International Labour Conference in 1925 at Geneva. The Committee therefore further recommends that the Bill be not allowed to proceed. • 29th September, 1927.

No. 269. —Petition of H. Cooper and 329 Others. Protesting against any legislation which will permit shops remaining open longer than the present hours observed. I have the honour to report that, as the subject-matter of the petition has been carefully considered when framing the amendments to the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill, upon which the Committee has already reported to the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1927.

Apprentices Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 17th October, 1927.

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