Majority veto Easter shopping

Anyone wishing to make a complaint to the New Zealand Press Council should first put it in writing to the editor. If not satisfied with the reply, complainants should then write to The Secretary, NZ Press Council, Box 10-879, Wellington, including a clipping of the disputed article and copies of the correspondence. An online complaint form is available at The prospect of retail tills ringing on Easter Sunday has Hamiltonians arguing the relative merits of convenience, commercialism, and Christianity.

Hamilton City Council’s suggestion was for retailers to choose whether to open while employees would be able to turn down the work. But of 225 submitters, 71 per cent said no to the idea. Many mentioned the holiness of the day, worker rights and family time.

‘‘I’m not convinced that one day of potential financial benefit will be as important as families and communities taking a break,’’ submitter Monique Rowe told councillors at a hearing on Thursday.

Kiwis currently have three-and-a-half days out of 365 that are free of shopping, submitter Stuart Bayes said. He had been a retailer and employer for 45 years and was worried about what would happen to staffers who used their right to refuse Easter Sunday work. ’’If you say, no, it doesn’t suit me ... maybe that works against you.’’

Cassia ten Hove said Easter Sunday isn’t a public holiday, so workers won’t get extra pay. If it weren’t for pressure or a sense of obligation, ’’how many employees do you think would choose to trudge into work next Easter Sunday instead of taking the day off?’’

Members of several Christian denominations spoke in the council chamber, including on the importance of Easter Sunday services and family time.

Easter Sunday is the high point of the Christian year, West Hamilton Community Church’s Rever- end Michael Hewat said. His church didn’t wish to impose its religion on people, he said, but New Zealand has a significant Christian population and heritage, so their views are worthy of consideration.

‘‘I would argue that the social benefits strongly outweigh the commercial ones in this case.’’

Anglican Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley submitted that ’’precious and protected time off’’ matters as much as economic gain. Central government put local councils in a tricky position by handing them the Easter Sunday trading decision, she said. Several submitters thought businesses would feel pressured to open to keep up with the competition.

But the JPL Group - which includes Farmers and Whitcoulls - has already decided not to trade on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, or Christmas, a submission from Farmers national property manager Richard Exon said.

Easter Sunday trading had support from about 28 per cent of submitters.

Steven Crutchley couldn’t see why retailers have to stay shut if businesses such as hotels and transport can operate.

‘‘I’ve never yet stayed in a motel or a hotel that said, hey, it’s Easter - everybody has to leave,’’ he said. ’’It’s fine for anybody to say, because of my religion, I cannot open today,’’ he said.

‘‘I do have an objection to people going, hey, because of my religion, you can’t open today.’’ Hamilton may also lose out to other areas which allow Easter Sunday trading, he said.

Hamilton City councillors were to make a call today.