EARLY CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2810, 30 June 1916, Page 6

EARLY CLOSING

THE CHANGE FAVOURED EFFICIENCY, ECONOMY, AND THE SOLDIER TOWN HALL MEETING About 1000 people attended a meeting held in the Town Hall Inst evening, and enthusiastically passed resolutions favouring tho movement for the six o'clock closing of liquor bars. The arguments for the change were that it would promote efficiency and economy and protect the soldiers from undue temptation. Mr. J. P. Luke, Mayor of Wellington, presided, aud said that he understood tho gathering was the outcome of a meetin" of business men who were of the opinion that to aid in winning the war tho hours during which strong drink was saleable should bo curtailed. He expressed tho opinion that the soldiers were not more addicted to drink than tho civilians; not only had our soldiers proved good fighters, but they had shown themselves to bo good citizens. Ho did not think the Government would grant a referendum on the question of six o'clock closing, and he thought tho Government was entitled to deal with the matter as a war measure. The number of people who had signed the petitions in favour of this movement represented a body of opinion which could.not be disregarded. He thought tho question should be approached dispassionately. He believed the meS - - ing would declare in favour of six o'clock closing, and he concluded: "I w.i.sh you success in your' undertaking." "The Supreme Necessity." The first speaker, Bishop Sprott, explained that ho was present because the resolution he was about to niovo was in accord with one adopted by the Anglican Synod. He was not interested in the Prohibition movement. In fact, ho had not supported tho Prohibition party, but had thought that the remedy on tho liquor question in general was nationalisation of tho traffic. That by -the way. He now moved: "That this meeting of Wellington citizons declares that the immediate adoption of six o'clock closing of liquor bars is urgently demanded by the supremo necessity of developing and concentrating in tho service of tho Empire the full energy of the Dominion for tho purpose of winning tho war." His Lordship said that three at least of tho great nations at war had passed important drink restriction measures— Russia, I'ranee, and England. Russia and Prance had taken moro drastic and severo action than England, ajid it could not be said that tho present movement was an outbreak of hysterical British In New Zealand wo had not yet felt tho strain of tho war as it had been felt in England. The' soldier was no moro addicted 'to drink than anyone else, but.it was not well that they should be subjected to undue temptation. TJiougli wo had not yet felt the strain as England had, ho was not sure that wo would not feel that strain in tirao to come. Wo wcro realising tho might of our great antagonist. What had wo-wrested from the cneniy yet? If tho war was to ba won, it would be under one condition—tho utmost efficiency. Ho appealed to people to see to it that wo wero not parties to a peace which was inconclusive because sufficient sacrifices wero not made.

"New Zealand Has Done Nothing." Dr. Platts-Mills seconded tho resolution, and said that it expressed the wish of the wonioii of Now Zealand. Efficiency mnong tho troops was essential, and efficiency never wont hand in hand with excessive drinking. Economy also was essential, and thero was no I rue patriotism without sacrifice. .The closing of the hotels at six o'clock would be but a small'sacrifice. Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P., supported tho resolution, and hoped tho people of New Zealand would insist on cftoct being given to it. Since tho war, other countries had taken action against tho drink traffic, but New Zealand had dono nothing. The proposal to banish "shouting" was a good move, though a small thing. Power had been taken to prevent women from drinking in hotels. A voice: Quito right. Dr. Newman: Just, so, but if it is right for women it is right for men. What is sauce for tho gooso is sauce for tho gander. Dr. Newman reminded the audionco that Now Zealand's soldiers were making their great sacrifices, and it Was our duty here to make a sacrifice and grapple with the drink evil. 'Tho motion was carried. Only JoTTr hands went up against it. "A Beggarly Minority." Rev. Dr. Clibb moved:— "That this meeting, in demanding legislative provision for six o'clock closing of liquor bars, direct* tho' attention of tho Government to tho mandate of the people givon hy moans of resolutions passed at public meetings, of petitions to Parliament, bearing about 100,000 signatures, and representative deputations, and it calls upon, the Government and Parliament to give immediate effect to the will of the people." Dr. Gibb said the Government of late had not paid much attention to tho will of the people, and the Government would have to account for its omissions. The wish of the people had been clearly expressed in favour of early closing. Tho liquor people, of course, had brought pressure on tho Government on (ho question, and the suave gentlemen of the Moderate League, and tho sleek, well-fed gentlemen of the clubs had protested against the proposed tragedy of closing the hotel bars at <! o'clock. Did this latter section represent the peoplo of New Zealand? Voices: No. Dr. Gibb: A thousand times, No. Thay constitute a despicable and beggarly minority. . . . Drinking after G o'clock was a needless luxury. Mr. ,T. Hutchoson seconded tho motion. Ho described the Moderate League as tho sunken rock of the liquor reef. He said that 6 o'clock closing was necessary, and that if the Government did not legislate for that, tho great agitation should bo persisted in, and Parliament should be induced to act before this session ended. Commissioner Hoddor, of tho Salvation Army, in supporting the resolution, said that action was absolutely essential. The resolution was carried. The chairman announced that there was only one dissentient.