SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING OF HOTELS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3115, 20 June 1917, Page 6

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING OF HOTELS

* SUPPORTED BY SIR JOHN FIXDLAY. By Telegraph-Press Association. ' Hastings, June 19. Replying at grei.i length to a big deputation, armed with a petition boariug over :j(100 names, urging-6 o'clock ( closing of Jiotele, Sir John Fiudlay, M.P.,' ! who!lr committed himself to give his strongestsupport to the curtailment of the. hours for tho selling of liquor. Staling his attitude, on the licensing question generally, he said he favoured a afi per cent, majority, but the times were abnormal. After most serious thought, and consultation with fhose best able to give reliable information, and using his observation as diligently as possible, he had definitely come to the conclusion that hotel bars should be closed at 6 o'clock in tho interests of public welfare and national efficiency during the great struggle. He said the courageous example, of Great Britain surely was one that was eloquent of the necessity for New Zealand taking a drastic step also. Sir John T'indlay qunled the example | j set by the Australia States. He stated \ that the chief obstacle is the attitude of tho present Government towards 6 o'clock closing, a.s disclosed by the Ministers' voting when the proposal to shorten hour.; wa« before the House last year. "If," he said, "the will of the people by an immense majority demands G o'clock closing, Cabinet is bound not to resist that will, and if it cannot see its way to give legislative expression to it, its proper duty is to give, place to a Ministry which can." Referring to compensation by tboState, ho said this was out of the question, but lie thought the loss should be. fairly divided between the licensee and the landlord in (he way of a readjustment • of rent. H,e would mnko no distinction between clubs and hotels, and would support. 6 o'clock legislation with all the persistency and ability at his command. MEETING OF WANGANUT CITIZENS. Wanganui, Juno 19. At, a.public, meeting of citizens held resolutions were carried demanding the Government to introduce legisation to reduco tho horns of sale of liquor from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and also to make provisions for taking tho triennial prohibition poll in December next, or an immediate referendum on prohibition during the war and tho period of demobilisation.