SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3120, 26 June 1917, Page 5

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

———e '■ PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, June 25. The Christchurch members of parliament were presented to-day with peti--tions in favour of the six o'clock closing of hotel bars.. Mr. H. j3U, M.P., said the reform should be looked on. as a war measure, not. a prohibition movement. He was certain that, if Cabinet came down with a sis o'clock measure, -it would bo carried. Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P., said the Govern- • ment had had. a very hard row to hoe, and its attitude on the reform last year i was one of political expediency; but he believed that a secret ballot in the House would havo carried six o'clock closing long ago. i It was absolutely useless for the Government to ask tho people to check-waste while they iwould not respond to the prayers of. the people in limiting the chief waste. . Dr. Thacker, M.P., said there were many persons who were prepared to spill ;he last drop of the other people's blood to win. the war, but would give little, of their own. "Win the war!" had . he- - uome ■ a weapon in the hands of many vicious reformers. What had New-Zea-land done? They had been informed that the men of New Zealand had proved themselves at' Messines tho greatest soldiers the world had ever produced. There could, therefore, be no doubt as to .the efficiency of the nien. .Ho would present the petition, but would not support' it- • ' '. Auckland, June 25. . A', deputation waited on Messrs. Poole, jHarris, and Dickson, M.P.'s, and pre- , sented a petition containing 32,000 signatures asking Parliament for 6 o'clock / closing of hotels. Messrs. Harris and i Poole agreed to support the petition, but ' Mr. Dickson reserved the right to, con- ! eider his position after the petition had' , been before the House, Committee. , Timaru, June 23. A petition to Parliament asking for six o'clock closing of'hotels, and containing 3545 signatures, was presented to-day to Sir. J. Craigie, member for Timaru, by the Mayor, andi supported by the Rev. J. H. Rogers and Mr. W. Thomas, M.A., rector of the Boys' High School. Mr. .T. Craigie, M.P., said that last session he had fought for 8 o'clock closing, and on the publicans opposing it he said they would "get something more drastic. He hoped Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward would be ready Ao say aft once that they would agree to six o'clock. Mr. Craigie - spoke with painful regret of tho drinking among young soldiers in Welling- . ton. The Government was no Government that • would not do something to stop it. Mr. C. J. Talbot, M.P. for Temnlia, also received a petition containing about 1500 names. He said he would support it,' but tlio question of iustice to licensees must be considered, also to the wholesale trade.

Nelson, Juno. 25. At a public meeting to-night a petition healing 3164-. signatures, praying for the closing of the bars of hotels and clubs at G o'clock during the war, was presented to Mr. T. A. Field, M.P. Mr. Field intimated that he irould support the proposal.r (B.v Telegranli—Special Correspondent.) Masterton, Juno 25. A deputation from the No-Licenso League waited, upon Mr. G. It. Sykes, M.P., to-night, and presented a petition containing about 1500 signatures in favour of 6 o'clock closing of hotels. Mr. Sykes said he would support the petition provided legislation wero passed distributing any loss sustained equitably between the licensees and the owners of the licensed houses. DEMONSTRATION IN THE TOWN HAXL. Representative deputations are waiting upon members of Parliament before they leave for Wellington, urging them to present to Parliament on the opening day, and to heartily support, large-signed petitions in favour of tho closing of all liquor liars at G p.m. until six months after the ivar.

The representatives of the New Zealand 'Alliance advertise a demonstration in the Town Hall to-morrow night at 8 o'clock. The president of the New Ze.ala.nd Alliance, the Rev. P. Smallfield, 8.A., is to preside. Commissioner Hndder, S.A., Rev. .Tolin Paterson, M.A., llr. C. Jl. Poole, M.P., and Mrs. Napier (Edinburgh) are to bo the speakers. Three Salvation Army bands are to lead a spectacular procession to the hall. As this will be the final demonstration before Parliament opens it is expected that there -will bo a. large attendance. Doors will be open at 7.15 p.m.