CLOSING OF HOTELS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2584, 5 October 1915, Page 9

CLOSING OF HOTELS

PETITIONS TO THE HOUSE

"NO RECOMMENDATION "

During the session petitions have been presented by every member of Parliament praying that hotels be closed at 6 p.m. daily during the period of .the present war. The M to Z Petitions Committee, by its chairman (Mr. H. J. H. Okey) reported on these petitions yesterday"That as this is a. matter of policy, wo. have-no recommendation to make, but as tho question is of so much importance at the present juncture, it is of opinion that tho Government should give tho whole matter its early consideration." '

Mr. L. SI. Isitt (Christchurch North) again entered a protest, and desired to know .whether a population of one million should go 011 wasting four million pounds per annum on alcoholic liquors, especially at a time when they were told that the "silver bullet" was going to win this war. Ho did not want to take an unfair view of the matter. The protests against the prayer were to the effect that there would be a great displacement of labour, but he did riot beliove the plea was a valid, one. There was, however, a plea that demanded recognition—that if the prayer was acceded to a very severe hardship would be inflicted on those who held hotels on , lease. He thought that the Government could . close those leases until the times were ; Ho drew attention to the fact that in England various districts bad been placed under restriction with regard to liquor, and held that the National Government could go to 1 the length of considering whether it would not be wise to prohibit all "treating" oil the lines of the English law. 'That was a . very moderate demand, and ho again asked the National, 'Government to, consider stopping "treating" during the period of the \var. | Mr. H. G. Ell (Cliristclraroli South) said that while not reflecting on the lads who were going to the front, it had been very painful to' him to see young soldiers in a state of intoxication" in Wellington. Some restriction should be made. No doubt, in mistaken hospitality, people were "treating" the soldiers to excess. In view of all the facts he asked the_ Prime Minister to bring some, legislation up.to lessen the number _of hours, .or lessen, the disposition of those who unwisely treated our young soldiers.

. Mr. 0. H. Poole (Auckland West) pointed out that for military; purposes jJie Government could restrict the hours. The petitions had dono good in that they would ensure a. strict eye being kept to see that there was no abuse of drinking. Apart from that there seemed to be a desire throughout, the. country for v six o'clock closing of hotels, in conformity with all other businesses Mr. J. Craigie (Timaru) thought that it a poll was taken it would bo in favour ot six o'clock closing;' even those who. did not favour prohibition would vote tor. it. If the Government, could not see their way'to close the hotels at six ococc they might closo them at eight o clock. That would take temptation away from many young men wV did not want to drink, but who acceded to the "shouting" system. ' Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs; said if the numerous petitions tliat had been presented were looked through carefully, they would show, that they had been signed by the "moderate, and not the "rabid," element. He recognised that there were difficulties in the way, but he urged the Government to strive to do something. Ho was sorry that a poll could not be taken' on the matter.

Dr. fliacker (Christ-church East) said that h® did not think it was fair for the Prohibitionists to use the exigencies of war to emphasise their cause. Ihe hotelkeepers were going to pesson"Jjy, if there was any curtailment of the. hours. If we desired to "pinch" the publicans, let us do it at an'ordinary time. .

n t. Malcolm (Clutha) said that the experiences in other countries ,S 011 . 0 to prove that a curtailment or the liquor privileges at the present ■tiDie.jiiad gone to make. them better nghtuig units: New Zealand could not do her best if tliere was not some curtailment here. Even such a conservative Country as Britain "had made remarkable restrictions, and it was a fair thing_ to say that New Zealand should consider the'question too. Many people in New Zealand were giving tncii' sons gladly, and calmly contemplating their deaths, but their one agony, in many cases, was that the boys, through the temptation of drinking, might be dragged down. He trusted the prayers of the petitioners would be acceded 1 to. n ± i Harris (Waitemata) thought that there could be no two views on the matter —everyone would realise that tho proposed chungo would be for the benefit of the country. Ho would havo liked to see the committee recommend that- tho proposal would havo been in the- interests of the Dominion. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said it appeared to him that no good could be done by a discussion of the matter at this stage. If a Bill were before tlie House .which honourable members could dispose of by a vote it would bo another matter. But in all the years he had been iii the House ho had never known a. Government game to take up a definite stand on the licensing question. He did not know why. If any Government could take a stand, a National Government was that Government. _ Nothing could bo gained by further discussion of the report. But Mr. Wilford wont. on "discussing" tho question until 5.30 p.m., and the question was "talked out."

Gorman peoplu havs, an a. tt'iiole, weaker, than Briton*.