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The Shops Act of 1934 which came into operation on the 31st day
of December, 1934, stipulates the number of hours during which young
persons under the age of 18 may be employed, and makes provision as to
the arrangements in shops and warehouses for the health and comfort
of workers.
The Shops Act, 1936, brings lending libraries (with certain
exceptions) within the scope of the Shops Acts.
The Retail Meat Dealers (Sunday Closing) Act, 1936, requires that
butchers" shops shall be closed on Sunday. Exemption is permitted for
Jewish butchers selling kosher meat, provided the shop is closed for the
whole of Saturday.
The Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act, 1936, restricts the
opening of shops and trading on Sunday. Partial exemption orders may
be made for certain trades, and there are special provisions for persons
observing the Jewish Sabbath. Provision is also made for assistants
employed on Sundays to receive holidays in lieu thereof on week-days.
During 1938, 52 first or warning notices and 12 final notices were
issued in respect of contraventions of the Acts. Legal proceedings were
taken in seven instances. Fines were inflicted in three cases; one defendant
was bound over for 12 months on payment of costs, one was
dismissed on payment of costs, and in two cases the registration of Jewish
traders was revoked.
The year under review has been one of considerably increased
activity mainly due to the Shops (Sunday Trading Restriction) Act,
1936.
The administrative difficulties in this Act are continuing to reveal
themselves, and the result of recent test cases in the High Courts has
increased some of the anomalies, but, despite this, there is considerable
evidence that shop assistants and employees have secured considerable
benefit.
It is satisfactory to be able to report that conditions relating to
the employment of assistants on Sundays and the compensatory holidays
in lieu of Sunday work are being complied with.
During the year it has been found necessary to devote considerable
time to the Act dealing with the hours of employment of young persons,
and to the provisions relating to the health and comfort of all shop
workers.