SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2819, 10 July 1916, Page 6

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Sir,—l was greatly impressed by the letter of "A. Trite Moderate" in your issuo of this morning. As he says, why should not hotels closo at 6 p.m., in the samo way that shops do. Dairies,' hairdressers and tobacconists, marble bars, confectioners, and refreshment rooms should also ceaso business at B p.m. ;A man who •caimot drink enough, liquor between ti a-.ra. and li'p.m. deserves to go thirsty, and the man who can't get his hair cut between the same hours deserves the samo fate as the hero in the old song, who, whenever he went out always caused the boys to sbout, "Get your hair cut." I was always a little doubtful about the attitude of the employers wlio pay our wages, if my mates and I knocked off work to, go and have .a drink every now and -again, but "A True Moderate," by his sound logic, points the way out. Ho points out that the licensed victuallers of Wellington should coHcctively pay the fines imposed 011 tho poor ■unfortunate drunk. By the same reasoning, if my mates and 1- go out for a- drink and anything is docked off our wages, the Employers' Association is liable to make up all such loss, for having a rule so stupid as to make us responsible for our own actions. Similarly, if I steal a. man's watch he must go. to gaol for having a watch, and so placing temptation, in my way. In faot, tho whole of our laws thrusting responsibility 011 individuals for thoir own actions is clearly wrong in principle, and Parliament; should deal with the question vigorously before it adjourns. in any case, it now seems certain that the hotels must close a.t 6 p.m., When it is seen that men of the brain power of "A True Moderate" are in favour of the proposal, what can b« said against it—l am, etc., • ADMIRER.