LOUIS PIERARD
Softly, softly catchee monkey ... National MP Jacqi Dean's member's bill that would allow shops in some tourist centres to open over Easter is a Byzantine answer to a simple problem.
But given the history of nervous handwringing and dithering by parliamentarians over Easter trading, Ms Dean's "opt in" bill - which, in a way, will achieve logic by stealth - is probably the only means of settling the perennial stupidity of opening hours.
Every Easter, traders such as garden centres weigh the odds and decided to stay open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, despite the possible penalty because, it's worth their while. And their customers fully endorse the decision.
Dispensation has been made for Queenstown, though, because it's a recognised tourist spot.
However Wanaka, forced to keeps its stores' doors firmly closed this year when 70,000 visitors flocked to the biennial Warbirds over Wanaka airshow, has every reason to complain.
Ms Dean's bill last week passed its first hurdle when 73 MPs voted to support the bill in a conscience vote, with only 41 voting against and three abstaining. It's early days but it's a hopeful sign. The bill is to be considered by a select committee at which public can make submissions.
Napier and Hastings MPs Chris Tremain and Craig Foss have also signalled their wish for those cities, as well as Central Hawke's Bay district, to be included for exemption in the bill. The growing dependence by the region on tourism speaks for itself.
Having established that an exemption can be made for one area, the Easter opening regulations cannot be defended rationally. The anomalies might seem quaint and the fines footling, but it all makes a mickey of the law, which will look increasingly foolish as more towns join Queenstown.
The principle that legislated shops shut out of the obligation for religious observance can no longer be sustained because public expectations have changed along with trading patterns (for example the "essential" services stations have become supermarkets).
Having waived, in Queenstown's case, the principle of faith in favour of commerce the rest of the dominoes ought to have followed. But Parliament hasn't had the bottle to take the next step.
A more noble motive would be the promotion of freedom of choice. Why confine it to tourist areas? It is odd that MPs should legislate to provide a service for visitors that is superior to that found by many New Zealanders.
EDITORIAL: Laborious remedy for shop hours
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