WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1917, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

*- . SIX O’CLOCK CKOSrxo,. THE RESTRICTION RIM,.

(Our Special Correspondent) Wei.(.initon, Sept in. 'flie debate on the Sale of Liqnor Restriction Bill, so far as it proceeded in the House last night, was a little disappointing. The Prime Minister, in moving the second reading of the measure, though obviously anxious to deal with the question of hotel hours in a judicial spirit, was not particularly happy in his efforts to conciliate the ‘six o’eloekers.” Perhaps lie scarcely appreciated their attitude. He talked of the rights of the majority and the needs of the revenue, while their minds were occupied with the recommendations of the Efficiency Board and the “iniquities" ol “The * Trade.” But.in spite of more or less irrelevant interjections from both sides of the House, Mr Massey maintained the thread of his story to the end and when he sat down at the conclusion of his hour lie had presented a very lucid exposition of the scope and purpose of the Bill and had made his own intention to stand * by eight o'clock perfectly clear. 1 A TACTIC AT. lII.UXDKE. The “six o’elockers” in their contributions to the debate made the tactical blunder oi dwelling rather on the evils of the liquor traffic than on the needs lor national efficiency. Mr Hornsby, who was the lucky one to catcli the Speaker’s eve among three or four aspirants for the distinction of following the Prime Minister, was one of the least offenders in this respect. His speech was mainly devoted, indeed, to a defence of the British working mail against the charge of excessive drinking and though it was delivered in support of six o'clock closing it would have served the other|side almost as well. Mr Harris relieved his fervid denunciation of “ The Trade ” by quoting from a little pamphlet prepared under the direction of the Minister of Defence in which soldiers are exhorted to abstain from strong drink and invited to sign a pledge oi total abstinence during the course of the war. COMPENSATION. The Prime Minister had touched lightly on the question of compensation and MrHarris had scoffed at 1 the idea of paying “ The Trade ” for obeying the law, but it was left to Mr Isitt to deal more particularly with this aspect of the controversy. Of course the arguments and precedents against compensation were familiar enough to the House, but the member for Christchurch Noitli marshalled them with consummate skill ; but even be could give them little application to the question of early closing. . The point he did make rested on a statement made by Mr Massey to the effect that closing the licensed houses at eight o’clock instead of ten o’clock would result in the publicans losing one half of their trade. This, he exclaimed, would

mean a saving of at least two millions to the people and a corresponding increase in their prosperity and comfort. THE OUTLOOK. It was easy, of course, to show that if closing the licensed houses at eight o'clock would save the country two-millions, closing them at six o’clock would save four millions and that what remained of “waste and degradation ” would be a mere- negligible quantity. ) But the House showed no disposition to be greatly impressed by Mr Isitt's figures. . The truth'of the matter is every member has made up his mind as to the wayin which he is going to vote. The “ Six O’Clockers ” and the “ liight O'Ulockers” are very evenly balanced, there being, probably, not a couple of votes between them, but there are a number of members who will accommodate their views to the proposals of theGovernment and turn the scale on that side. This'was the general opinion expressed in the lobbies last night and there appears to be no change in the position to-day.