SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 6

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

A COUNT OF HEADS

HOUSE ALMOST EQUALLY DIVIDED The Parliamentary leaders of the mor j-, nicnt in favour of tlio compulsory closing of hotel bars at six p.m. have 'been .making a canvass of members with the object of Ending out what support the proposal is likely to receive when the Government Bill dealing with the matter comes up for consideration in the House. As the result of careful inquiries they have come to the conclusion that they can rely upon the assistance of 37 members, that 31 monitors will probably vote against the proposal, and that the attitude of 5 is doubtful. This accounts for 71) out of the 80 members. The other four Consist of the Speaker and the three members who are at the front. Some people think that 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. will bo the business hours fixed in the promised Government Bill, but it is quite possible that Cabinet may decide in favour of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No one can at present say what the effect of these compromise proposals bo on the strength of tlio six o'clock party. They may shake the allegiance of some, and capture the support of the doubtful ones. The two sides are so evenly balanced that neither can afford to' Ipso any of its followers. The New Zealand Allianco has declared that six o'clock is their irrwlucible minimum, and the six o'clock proposal will almost certainly lio carried to a division. There is nil impression abroad that the Trade would, if driven to it, accept 8 o'clock as a compromise, but no- official hint to that has yet been given. A sharp conflict is expected when the Bill comes before the House.

DEPTJT YTION TO MR. HINDMABSH. Last evening a deputation of professional and business men and women waited upon Mr. A. H. llindniarsh, M.i J . for Wellington South, in order to hand to him a petition re six o'clock closing. The petition contained 3820 signatures.

The- deputation v.-as introduced by Mr. H. A. Parkinson, M.A. (headmaster of Newtown School). The first speaker, ltev. W. Fancourt, assured Mr. iiindmarsh that in presenting this petition to Parliament he would have behind him the weight of a majority of his constituents. The signatures attached had all been obtained without any pressure on the part of those who had procured them. He pointed out the fact that the petition was being presented from an economic or win-the-war standpoint, and pointed to the great waste occasioned by the enormous quantity of alcoholic liquor being consumed in New Zealand, in spite if the fact that this war. was calling for the need of economy in every direction. He referred to the fact that Mr. Hindmarsh had been called upon to make a personal sacrifice through his .son, who had heen wounded, and hoped that the young soldier would have a speedy recovery. The measure, if passed, would mean that others would be given an opportunity for sacrifice, even those who felt it a sacrifice to give up a whisky and soda. Mr. 3. Castle said that 110 doubt Mr. Hindmarsh was heartily sick of hearing arguments on this question, and that his mind was made up. Therefore, as one of his constituents, he would ask the member to declare lnr6elf for or against this movement. He pointed out that the deputation from its personnel could not be regarded as a "wowser deputation. In reply. Mr. Hindmarsh said chat he would present the petition to Parliament, and he had always supported legislation which tended to curtail opportunities for evil. "While he regarded the drink question as a- verv important one, he. also thought that there was need for reform in the matter of extravagance m dress, specially referring to the enormous sum being spent on ladies' 'fashionable wearing °apparel at this time. The deputation consisted ot_ the Kev. W. Fanconrt, Mesdames Wright and Cummins. Messrs. H. A - Parinnson, . T!. Bennett. .T. Castle, J. M. Porter, Tj. Collie, F. J. Caterer, Basil Cooper, i. Cox, and S. G. Hoare.