Our View: Easter trading fairness needed

Another holiday weekend has passed and the debate over Easter trading has again surfaced.
Bay retailers have questioned the law after some risked the penalties and opened on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Those wanting more relaxed laws say tourism and the fact that retailers in other places such as Taupo and Queenstown can open on these two days are strong reasons for change.
They have partial support from Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, who supports Easter Sunday trading but believes Good Friday should remain exempt. By law, most shops must be closed on both these days or face a fine of up to $1000.
Among the only shops allowed to open are those offering essential services, souvenir shops and food establishments - but with strict limitations.
And rightly so. There was a time not so long ago that no shops were open on public holidays, sometimes for up to four days, and we coped.
As a consumer society we have become accustomed to the right to access goods and services whenever we desire.
But where do we draw the line?
Public holidays such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday have huge significance and are important to many people for religious and family reasons. The morning of Anzac Day is another example and ensuring most shops are closed is a mark of respect.
People are working harder and longer than before and there is a strong argument they have earned the right to public holidays. Even some retailers support this view.
The National Distribution Union also supports this view, saying restrictions ensure non-trading days are used to celebrate and encourage family life, community activity and religious observances over narrow commercial interest.
If parts of society continue to push for more relaxed Easter trading laws, we risk diminishing the importance of these protected public holidays - and there are so few left.
Of course this is a tourist city and Tauranga retailers must be accessible to visitors and not deter them.
But many countries have public holidays and surely most tourists here on an Easter Sunday would accept this.
Having said this, the current law is not fair. It is wrong the likes of Taupo and Queenstown can legally open but Tauranga cannot.
The law should not be relaxed and instead tightened to ensure a fairer playing field across the country. Fines should be increased for businesses that break the law.