EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1565, 17 June 1916, Page 3

EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS.

DISCUSSION IN BOBBIES. INTERESTING DEBATE EXPECTED. The question of the early closing of hotels is exciting considerable discussion in the lobbies. The result of the referendum in New South Wales seems to have given added interest to the question. The supporters of early closing have been busy this week counting heads, and they are hopeful of being able to secure a provision for (be reduction of hours in the War Regulations Bill when it gets into Committee. Tin 1 more sanguine of these members express a belief that there is no doubt that there is a majority of members in favour of some reduction of hours, and that it is not certain that there is not a majority in favour of six o’clock <4osing. Eight o'clock closing has been suggested as a possible compromise. It is, however, not vet possible to form a judgment as to what is likely to happen, as a number of members have not yet been able to make up (heir minds as to how they would vote on a six o'clock closing motion. The taking of a referendum, of course, has been discussed, but there is a strong opinion amongst it considerable section of members that there is no justification for incurring the cost of such a course which, it is stated, would be somewhere between £20,0(10 and £30,000. In any case, a most interesting debate may be expected when tin l War Regulations Bill is before the House. Many members express the opinion that the matter should be dealt with in a Bill, not by regulations.

The Mlii Z I *ll hiic- I’ei itioiis ( 'mu mil Ice nfc In kin,u 1 evidence rega riling petitions in hi Venn- id’ six o’clock closing. As numerous witnesi-e> lmv(‘ lo he examined it is not expected Unit the Committee will present their report before next week. The mil i-“shonl ill”'" cl,",use docs not seem likely to meet with much opposition. and its passage is regarded as assured.