Notwithstanding the energetic protests of the Jewish population of Salonika, the bill imposing Sunday closing on Jewish shops there was passed by the Assembly yesterday.
The Jews of Salonika, numbering about 80,000, hitherto have enjoyed the privilege of keeping their offices and shops open on Sundays, whereas those of the Christians renained shut. As the result of repeated complaints by Greek trade unions and the Chamber of Commerce of Salonika against the privilege, the question was brought before the Assembly.
Prime Minister Papanastasiou, replying to Deputies who were opposing the bill, said that if they permitted Jewish offices and shops to open on Sunday they would place Greek business firms and shopkeepers at a disadvantage, the more so as the Greek offices, in addition to Sunday, also closed for Saturday afternoon.
The Prime Minister further stated that this bill would withdraw the unfair privilege, which the Jewish merchants have enjoyed.
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