THE LICENSING ISSUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1740, 26 July 1917, Page 2

THE LICENSING ISSUE.

REFERRING, edil orially, to the restriction of hours for (he salt} of alcoholic' liquors, the Wellington Post says; “From the outset our opinion lias been that in the national interests a reasonable curtailment of hours was logically inevitable. If the issue had been (1 o’clock or the hours as (hey exist at present, we should have had no hesitation in advocating’ (he former, but eve are convinced that the problem would be solved by a reasonable compromise—say, (he limiting’ of hours during’ which hotels shall remain open to between 9 a.m. and S pah. At the same time, it would be manifestly unfair and unwise if Parliament insisted on the closing of hotels at a certain hour, and allowed the unrestricted sale of liquor for consumption in places not under proper supervision. As a measure of reform the anti-shouting regulations have been of doubtful value. The conscientious hotelkeeper hus, no douhl, honestly endeavoured to comply with the law, hut, generally speaking, it seems to he ‘more honoured in the breach than in the observance/ and unless means can be devised for compelling a more drastic observance, both by licensees and the public, it is questionable whether a repeal of the regulations would materially affect the results aimed at by reformers. What wo do earnestly hope Is that Parliament will relieve itself of its timidity and gclrthe issue finally settled without unnecessary delay. The indecision, (he waul of definiteness and promptness of action, which characterised the .altitude of the Government on this matter last year have resulted in the expenditure of much time and energy which could have been profitably employed on purposes equally and even more important and essential.