HOTEL QUESTIONS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 22, 20 October 1917, Page 8

HOTEL QUESTIONS

BILLIARDS AND SPIRITS:

Questions relarins; to licensing matters TOre asked of Ministers in the House if Representatives yesterday. Mr. Glover asked the Prime Minister whether the Government would amend (lie Licensing Act to permit of • billiardrooms in hotels remaining open after 6 o'clock in the evening. Mr. Mnssey said the Government d;d not intend to introduce an amendment to the Licensing Act.this session, and therefore it would not be possible to <!o what the hon. member suggested. -Mr. M'Callum asked tho Minister of Finance if the Government would permit, of the dilution of spirits to <he extent of 33 per cent, instead of 25 per cent., and allow of the retailing of non-alcoholic drinks in hotel premises ou,tside_ of tho bar after six o'clock in the ivemng. Sir Joseph Ward stated that the mat-ter-of the dilution of.spirits was: before Cabinet for consideration some time agn, and instructions, had been given to hare a dilution-carried out up to 33 1-3 ner cent If that were insufficient a dilution'up to SO per cent, might.be taken into consideration. Tkßardmg the selhn? of soft drinks in/ hotels, there -was, as far as heknew, nothing in the law of the land fo prevent it.. " .' .