"LIGHTS OUT"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3060, 23 April 1917, Page 6

"LIGHTS OUT"

Sir',— Feeling we are "up against" a bigger problem than many realise today in the coal strike, I am constrained to write re the saving which all should endeavour to effect in the firing and lighting of our homes and businesses. I noticed with a good deal of satisfaction that ; the "powers" have "got in early" in their advocacy of economy, and the curtailment of train, steamer, and tramway services, and recommended the shops to close earlier , to save electric light and gas. In view of the seriousness of the situation, might I ask, What about the hotels? There are about 50 of them in the city, and if they are to keop their lights blazing from. 5 o'clock till 10 p.m. why cut the shops oiit for a paltry half-hour? I realiso that the early closing of the shops will'help matters tremendously, and will probably pay them handsomely if tho struggle is long, as it fill enable the tram services to keep up longer and thus feed the shops with customers when they are open. But what about the hotels ? Are they going to be isolated in this respect, or are they a part and parcel of the community, to profit or suffer with the rest of us? Will they "toe the mark," too, or are they going to give the Prohibition Party another argument against their, want of patriotism?—l am, etc., A NOD'S AS GOOD AS A WINK.