The people and merchants of Vancouver recently have had yet another obstacle thrown in their way by government, namely, the Sunday closing laws. As of the first of January all places of business (with a few exceptions) must close their doors on Sundays.

Many Vancouver merchants, mostly small and independent, have devised ingenious ways of getting around the law. The proprietor of a beauty salon sold memberships for a Sunday "health club" while a busy downtown bookstore opened its doors on Sunday for "poetry readings". On January 11 many Gastown merchants opened their doors and offered an across-the-board 25% discount to shoppers who came to support them.

In a free market everyone benefits. On the other hand, when the state intervenes, some groups or individuals gain and others lose. This zero-sum situation must obtain whenever laws are passed. Thus, when the government passes some new law claiming the "betterment of society" as its object, it is always a useful and enlightening exercise to ask the question, "Who benefits?" Who stands to gain (materially or otherwise), from the law?

In the case of our closing laws all we have to do is look at the groups who overtly supported the law. First there are the religious groups and churches who want everyone to spend "quieter" or "more meditative" Sundays, rather than indulge in "crass consumerism". Their benefit is psychic, a satisfaction in the knowledge that many people are prevented from acting contrary to certain Christian values.

Second, there are the labour groups. Seeking to "protect" their members from being "forced to work longer hours and weeks", many unions have enthusiastically supported the law.

Closed stores on Sundays, however, also shut the door on increased employment for the part-time labour force, mainly poorer people and students. As a rule though, unions have never by their actions been for the interests of the poor and unemployed, only themselves.

Finally we have the big stores, notably chains like Safeway, Woodward's and Sears. Historically big business has rarely been in favour of free enterprise and this is no exception. Large B.C. retailers face a fair amount of competition from smaller merchants when the latter are open for business on Sundays. The new closing laws are perfect for squelching this kind of competition.

Here is a clear illustration of exploitation through government power. Church groups, unions and big business exploiting the poor, the unemployed, non-Christians and small business owners.

The real issue here is freedom of choice, not whether people should be more relaxed, religious or reflective on Sundays.

We should emphasize to the large retailers that they do themselves (and us) no favors by preaching free enterprise and practicing protection. Likewise, if labour groups really have the interests of the working person at heart, they should give up the practice of labour monopoly and allow a free market in the work force. And we should remind our Christian friends that morality and "correct behaviour" are completely meaningless without freedom to make moral choices.

Free lance submissions are most welcome and can be sent electronically by email to Editor D'Arcy Flannery or Web Master Marco den Ouden.

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