SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3032, 20 March 1917, Page 4

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

DEPUTATION TO SIR JAMES? ALLEN. A deputation from the Presbytery of Wellington waited upon, the' Acting-' Prime Minister yesterday to urge the desirability of eome legislation providing for the earlier closing of hotels during the cnirenoy of the war. The Rev. J. Beggs said that the deputation had come to speak for the Presbytery of Wellington, but in this matter he thonght they could claim to speak for the whole Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. From the point of view of national efficiency ha urged that the salo of alcoholic liquor might with advantage be restricted. Certainly alcohol was not an essential, and he thought it was fair to ask that at least tho hours of sale should be limited to the same extent as were those for the sale of other commodities. He pointed out that in Russia and in Franco tho sale of liquor had been recognised as inimical to tho interests of the nation in time_ of war, and that considerable restrictions had been placed on tho sale of liquor in Australia and in Canada. Here in New Zealand very little had been done to reduce the consumption of liquor. The Her. W. J. Comrie, president of the New Zealand Alliance, also spoke in support of the request. The Minister, replying, said that he was much impressed with the views of tho deputation as put to him. Parliament had voted on the subject, and had decided to make no alteration in the hours for the sale of liquor. He himself had voted for 9 o'clock closing, and if the question arose again in Parliament he would again vote to restrict tho hours of sale. He could not make any definite statement to the deputation as to whether he would support six o'clock closing. There were differences of opinion among ministers ae well as among members of Parliament as to what ought to be done in this matter. He would, however, have pleasure in placing the matter before his colleagues, and would inform Mr. Massey of tho deputation's request at the earliest opportunity.