SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

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

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Sir,—Throughout the Dominion much vituperative eloquence is being expanded and much 6coruful ink,shed in..condem-nation-of the National Cabinet for its culpable failure to give effect to the widespread demand for the six o'clock closing of hotel bars. Ever-deepening indignation is manifest l>ecau6e, of its own initiative, Cabinet has taken no action. Still, fairness requires full recognition of the fact that owing to lad tectica by the Temperance Party's leaders the proposal is now side-tracked through reference to a Parliamentary Committee, and Cabinet is given an excuse for its inertia in this nyitter. These blundering tactics have of recent years characterised the whole campaign of the New Zealand Alliance, and stand in striking contrast to tho generalship displayed in- tho days of Mr. Frank lsitt's vigour, und_ when Mr. T. E. Tajdor supplied the sdmulus of", his great personality. Leadership is to-day tho prime requisite in the Temperance world of New Zealand. Given good leadership in these days,'when the ideals of the New Zealand Alliance have commended themselves to thousands who formerly were indifferent or antagonistic to tho Temperance reform, anything is, possible. '

Even amongst 'the Prohibitijnists the conviction is deepening that the gieatcst bar to progress in not public opposition to anti-liquor proposals, but official ineptitude in an organisation that is' popularly, but evidently erroneously, supposed to lead in all matters of '."eraperance reform.—l am, etc., PATKIOT. ;