EARLY CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 6

EARLY CLOSING

PROTEST FROM THE CLUBS PLEA FOR EXEMPTION Yol anothor protest against (bo six o'clock closing proposal was uindo to the Prime Minister yesterday, this time by a deputation repressing chartered clubs. They asked that if reduction of hours tvoro dccided upon, it should not apply to clubs.'

The Hon. A. L. Herdman, introducing the deputation, said that, it represented about 110 clubs in tho,North Island and in. Christchurch.

Mr. (J. W. Tringhain said. that clubs in New Zealaud had a. membership of 20,000, and had capital invested in buildings, libraries, and other furniture to the extent of between *£300,000 and .£400,000. Club members would oiler no opposition to six o'clock closing if it could be shown that any military necessity for it. Misted. Hut. they did not admit that there was any such necessity. Club 3 were not profit-malting institutions, and no inducement was offered to. members to drink (o excess. On. the contrary, this was strongly discouraged, and any member offending in this way would bo punished by tho committee of the club. Relying on the result of the last local optionpoll, many of tho cinbs had incurred financial obligations in extending their premises or in taking up leases at heavy rentals, if six o'clock closing were now to bo tho rulo, it would mean ruin, to most clubs, for tho social life of the clubs did' not begin until the end of the day, and it was in, the evening that tho clubs obtained most of their revenue. Ho pointed out that some clubs had thrown their doors open to soldiers, and in no single instance had this privilege been abused. Evon admitting, aa ho did not, that there were reasons for tho closing of hotel bars at 6 o'clock, these reasons did not apply to clubs. Who Club Members Are, Jlr. George Spriggins, (Wanganui) said the Wanganui (J)ub hail sent 150 members to tho war, and had lost twelve. They had given to every patriotic fund, and each month voted initiation fees and other sums to the amount of iMO to war funds. At various clubs there were bowling greens and other means of recreation, which could not be maintained if the clubs were closed. ,Only reputable members were admitted to membership. Mr. Spriggins contended also that the quality of drink obtainable in clubs was better than that sold, in the liotcl.bars.

Mr. W. Horkins (Auckland) said that iu the Working Men's Club. 20 to 2o per cent, of their members were available for active service, and had volunteered. The privileges they had left behind should not be taken away in their absence.

Mr. E. L. Broad (Palmerston North) 6aid tliafc the clubs he represented were in a different position, since thwe ivere two camps near Palmerston. The town was better conductod now than before the war, and this, he contended, was due to the way in which the clubs conducted their business. The clubs were thrown open' to officers and men of the forces, and to close these institutions would mean restriction of the soldiers' privileges. Twenty per cent, of the members of the Manawatu Club (all the eligible men) had gone to the war. Those who remained behind were anxious to do tiheir part also, but they contended that a measure of 'this kind would not afford any assistance. Mr. A. S. Biss said he was of opinion that club life in New Zealand was a great factor in keeping up the enthusiasm that should exist at the present time. His experience 'was that a tremendous amount of propelling power came from the clubs, and ho thought they should encourage the men to meet together in clubs for social purposes. Prime Minister's Reply. The Prime Minister,' in replying, said he thought tho deputation had done quite right in making its'representations on a subject lvhich would probably bo dealt witil in Parliament in the near future. Ho could understand the argument that had been put forward, because he be-' longed to several clubs. He agreed with, the statement that drunkenness is not encouraged in clubs. Disreputable people were not elected, and members who disfjraced themselves were asked to resign. He also understood the argument that closing hotel bars would seriously interfore with .tho finances of the clubs. References had been made to legislation which had been passed in Great Britain to shorten 'hours. He had never inquired, whether that legislation applied to clubs as well as to licensed houses. , Mr. W. E. Pearson said ho was in London when tho law was passed, and it did apply'to clubs. Mr. Massey said that if the ordinary licensed houses were oumpelled to close their bars at a. certain liour. he was confident that Parliament would make the law apply to bars in clubs. Even Bellamy's would come under the rule. "I don't know ivhat will take its place," lie added.

A doputationist: You will hare to bare lookers. (Laughter.) Mr. Massey said he wa6 pleased to hear what the deputation, had to say, and when the time came the AttorneyTGenoral and himself would place their representations bofore Cabinet. Petitions on the subject were now before a Committee'of the House, and when tnat Com* niittee had reported, legislation would take shape.

NEW PLYMOUTH RESOLUTIONS. By Telegraph-Press Association-Cojiyiiglit New Plymouth, Juno 27. At a meeting to-night, presided over by the Mayor, . representatives •of various denominations, and Labour boiijg on the. platform, resolutions were passed expressing gratification that tho Government had included a clause in the War Regulations Bill that will make "shouting" illegal, also that tho moeting deeply doplorcs tho failure of tho National Govornment to order tho early dosing of hotel bars as a war measure, and liout calls on tho Government to carry through at once such legislation as is needed to closo tho bars from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., or, failing that, to take a referendum thoreon forthwith.