LIQUOR IN WAR TIME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2707, 29 February 1916, Page 6

THE EARLY CLOSING CAMPAIGN LOCAL EXECUTIVE AT WORK Tho Executive of the War Necessities Committee met yesterday end discussed various questions connected with the movement. It was announced that arrangements had been made to provide opportunity for of tho public who wish Lo co-operate in the movement for the early closing of hotel and club bars, or are in sympathy with it, to sign the lists issued by the committee. A list is open for signature at Messrs. A. Lindsay and Co.'s premises, cornor of Woodward Street and. Lanibton Quay, and there is also a list at Mr. J. B. Speed's, Lambton Quay. Lists will also bo available at Newtown and various other parts of tho city. The following circular has been addressed to the secretaries of the various patriotic and other public societies: "At a meeting of a small committee of citizens, styling themselves the War Necessities Committee, held at the Town Hall on Friday, February 25, the following resolutions were passed: '(1) That a wet canteen be established at all military camps in tho Wellington military district during the period of tbo present war.' '(2) That all hotel and club bars in the Wellington military district be closed for the sale of spirituous liquors between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. during the period of tho present war.' "It was decided that a monster deputation be formed to wait upon the members of the National Government lo bring these resolutions before them and urge the necessity for immediate action. "We earnestly call upon the individual members of your organisation to take part in this movement. Will you, therefore, return to us this circular, with the signatures attached, of those individuals who are in favour of the movement? _ Will you also be good onoitgli to givo us the names of those persons who consent to give their definite assurance that they will take part in the deputation ? "Tho date of the deputation wjll be fixed to suit the convenience of tho Minister, and will take place as early af possible. It will be advertised in the public Press. After careful consideration. we have decided not to ask for action from the society as a. whole, but merely from the individual members of it, and those whom they mav influence outside of the organisation." REFERRED TO A REFERENDUM. DECISION OF LABOUR CAUCUS. (Roc. February 28, 9.40 p.m.) Sydney, February 28. The Labour Caucus has decided that tho early closing question be referred to a referendum, which Mr. Holman states will be taken as soon as tlie n.achinery can ba prepared. WET CANTEENS. FAVOURED BY ARCHBISHOP CARR Melbourne, February 2S. Wet canteens under strict military Supervision find a strong supporter in Archbishop Carr. LIQUOR BARS IN CLUBS ' THE PROCLAMATION IN SYDNEY. Tho proclamation ordering all licensed premises in the County of Cumberland (the county in which Sydney is located) to closo at 6 p.m. was last week mado to apply to all clubs with a charter, as well as to all licensed premises. Tho Sydney "Herald" of Saturday weekBays: — "In view of tho fact that the Minister's proclamation dealing with 6 o'clock closing states that 'all premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors situato within the County of Cumberland . . . shall until further notice be closed at G o'clock in the afternoon of each week day,' the police yesterday served notice on all tho city clubs. This action on tho part of the responsible authorities came as a surprise, but, according to the authorities, tho proclamation mado no distinction, and all licensed promises must, be treated alike, whether clubs or hotels. "Several club secretaries stated that the matter would have to bo carried further, and at least four of the big clubs ip tho city last night, after being served with the order to sell no liquor after 6 o'clock; decided that they would continue serving bona-fide members, but tliat no member should he allowed to introduce a friend after the hour stated in the proclamation. This course of action would, tlicy' considered, prevent soldiers being treated, and would confine tlie sale of liquor to tlie mombers of the club, who had every right to a certain yimount of consideration, oven in view of the action taken by the military. , , '"Wo must consider our members, said one club secretary, 'and we are taking this stand together with other clubs°becaus6 we consider that a residential club is hardly the nlace to which members would introduce the class of men the proclamation aims at stopping from getting more liquor than is good for them. We are in no way antagonistic to the military. We —I speak on behalf of the directors—would, I am sure, close the club entirely tomorrow if the military could shoiv us that wo were a menace to the sobriety of the soldiers. Private soldiers or sailors ill uniform are not allowed ill tho club. It is probable that tlie legality rf the closing of the clubs will be tested before we resign the attitude we havo taken up.'"