SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3142, 21 July 1917, Page 9

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

AN AUCKLAND DEPUTATION PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY The case for six o'clock closing was stated by an Auckland deputation which waited upon tho l J riiiio Minister yesterday. Tho visit was tho outcome ot a big public meeting iield in Auckland last week, at which a resolution in favour of six o'clock was carried. It was a most plain, businesslike statement ol .tho taso that tho deputation made. Tho several speakers urged restriction of the salo of liquor as a war measure fa> promote efficiency and economy. The deputation was introduced by tho Hou. A. Jl. Myers, member for Auckland Kast.

Tho Pniue Minister said that cne of tho speakers hud quoted certain of his remarks about tno duty of Hexr Zealand to eee the war through. Ho did not go back on any opinions he had expressed on this subject, ami he had been very glad to hear that those views were endorsed by the deputation. "I practically pledged New Zealand," ho said, "to do its full share in the struggle in ->vhich the Empire is 'taking such a prominent part, and to carry on to tho end., 1 don't go'back on tliat in tho very slightest, and 1 don't believe tho country will Ko back on it. If the country were to go back on it my duty would be clear. It is unnecessary for mo to say what it is." A statement had been made, he continued, inferring that the liquor trade, had been protected by the Government, and that it had not been called upon to do its part towards carrying on. tho war. Hβ.wished to contradict that statement. No industry had been, protected. The liquor trade had had to do its full 6hare, in tho fcending of men to fight and in .the providing of funds. There had bc-en no discrimination between tho liquor trade and other trades, and there would bo none.

So far as Ihe request of tho deputation was concerned, he could only repeat wjiat be had said to other deputations that had waited upon him on the samo subject, and what he proposed to ray to other deputations coming to see him. He understood that representatives cfthe trade were to wait on him on the following day. As head of the Government lie proposed to bring down legislation dealing with tho subject. This could not be done for a week or two. As soon as tho Address-in-Beply was disposed of the House would have to consider tho Government's linancial proposals. A very largo sum of money was required, and it would liuvo to be obtained by loan. He was not going to say that there would bo a great increase in taxation, or that tliero would not be. He would simply express no opinion on that point. As soon as financial matters were disposed of—ami this would occupy two or three weeks—tlio way would be dear for tue Bill in which tho deputation was interested. Probably it would be one of the iirst matters to be dealt with. When the Bill came down thoy would get their answer to their request. In the n-ean-time the resolution, of the Auckland meeting would be laid before Cabinet. Owing to .the large accumulation of business Cabinot had not been able to consider the question yet, but ho hoped to be able to place it before Cabinet in a iew days. No pressure would be put upon members of Parliament by him or by the Government. Tho supporters of early closing would get "a .perfectly straight run," and he hoped that the Bill wlion it passed into law would meet with the approval of the people gonerally.