The Home Secretary has whipped up a good deal of
sympathy and support by his capable answers about D.O.R.A. to Unionist Members of Parliament who ques- tioned hini on Monday. He proved easily enough that the regrulations -contained in the Shops Act are by no means an example of D.O.R.A.'s regrettable ways. The shop regulations during the War under D.O.R.A. were so much prized by shop assistants that, by general con- sent, they were afterwards embodied in the present Act. They thus have an independent existence. It must be pointed out, however, that though the limitation of hours in shops is highly desirable, and is not in the least likely to be modified,' there remain arbitrary dis- criminations as to what may be sold and what may not be sold after certain hours. It is tiresome to find that you may buy one thing but not another when both are exhibited for sale, or that it is illegal to sell something in one place which it is legal to sell in another. These anomalies, may be of no great importance, but they explain public annoyance.
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