EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3121, 27 June 1917, Page 6

EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS

MORE PETITIONS. By Telesraob.—Press Association. Hamilton, 'June 28. A petition signed by 3039 electors prayin°- for the closing of hotel bars at b o'clock as a war measure was presented at the Town Hall yesterday to Sir. J. A. Young, member for Waikato. There was a large attendance. The Mayor presided. Including the Cambridge petition, there is a total of 4364 names in the Waikato electorate in favour of the proposal. Mr. Ymmg said he was heartily m accord with the request of the petitioners, and stood fully prepared to support the petition when tho opportunity ottered. Christchurch, June 26. A. petition for 6 o'clock closing, bearing 1651 signatures, was presented to Mr. G. Wittv, member for fliccarton. HVgave a straight-out refusal on the ground of hardship to' hotel employees. lie said he would oppose a referendum on hotel hours, but would, if necessary, faTOiir absolute prohibition. Timaru, .Tune 26. | An early-closing petition, containing 832 names, with more to follow, was presented to Mr. Nosworthy, M.P., at Goraldine yesterday by .tho Mayor, Mr. Paterson. Mr. Nosworthy supports the reriuest. Blenheim, June 26. A petition, signed by 2000 people, in favour of 6 o'clock closing .of hotels, or as an alternative tho taking of a referendum without delay, was presented to Mr. 11. M'Callum, member for Wairau. Mr. M'Callum said he was in favour of tho suppression of spirits during the war, but would not include beer, which was the working man's tea. He would not support 6 o'clock closing, but was in favour of closing the retail liquor trade in the day time, the bars to be open from 5 to "10 o'clock in the evenings, and the suppression of tho sale of liquor for consumption off the premises. IN FAVOUR OF TEN O'CLOCK". ,

By Telegraph—Press Association. Westport, June 2ti. At a crowded meeting in the Town Hall to-night to discuss 6ix o'clock closing of hotels, a motion was moved that the meeting considers that ten o'clock closing should bo continued until the next local option poll is taken. An .amendment was moved in favour of six o'clock closing tor the period of the war and for six months thereafter, or in tho alternative for an immediate referendum of the people of the Domiuion. After a lengthy debate, in which representatives of the'trade freely expressed thoir views, the amendment was. rejected, and the motion was carried by an overwhelming majority.

TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION. An indication of the general interest that is being taken in the question of temperanco legislation, and the demand that is being made by all classes of the community for more prompt legislative measures/is a resolution that was unanimously passed by the'staff of the "Wellington Girls' College. The resolution has been forwarded to the Hon. "VY\ P. Massey. Sir Joseph "Ward, Sir Jamos Allen,"the members of the district—Hon. A L. Herdman, Dr. Newman, and Mr. Hinclmarsh-and to Mr. Ferguson, chairman of tho National Efficiency Board. The resolution is as under:-

"Tho staff of this college is of opinion that there is an urgent need for legislation to susnend the liquor traffic during the period of the war, and during demobilisation. The example of our Gracious Majesty, and of the late Lord "Kitchener, the action of other Allied countries, tho demand for drastic ecouomy, and the need, at this critical time, for the full man and woman power of the country, call for our loyal and patriotic response, and make prompt and effective legislation in this direction an imperative duty."

TO-NIGHT'S MEETING AT TOWN HALT. Delegates will bo arriving in Wellington to-day to attend the annua! convention of the New Zealand Alliance. They aro invited, with citizens, to the meeting in the Town Hall to-night, when, speakers for the Alliance will present to the audience reasons why citizens should support the six o'clock closing movement. The speakers are:-Chainnau, Uev P. Suiallficld, 8.A., Rev. J. Paterson, M.A., Mr C. H. Poole. M.P.. and Jlm. .Napier (Edinburgh). There is to be a procession before the meeting, organised by the Salvation Army, supported l>y tableaux and their combined bands.