6 O'clock Closing.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 28 September 1917, Page 3

6 O'clock Closing.

Carried by 44 to 26. Wellington, September 20. The Sale of Liquor Registration Bill came up for further consideration in the House of Representatives this afternoon. There was a large attendance of members, and the keenest interest was displayed in the proceedings. Members were aware that the real trial of strength was at hand, and until the first division wbb taken there was the greatest uncertainty as to what the result wo aid be. When the Bill went into committee the first clause, on which a.general debate was expected, went on the voices without a remark. Eight O'Clock Lost.

On the second clauße, Mr Anderson moved at once to strike out the word "eight" and the crucial division was taken forthwith. The amendment was agreed to by 41 votes to 28. Following was the division list: — For 8 o'clock (28).—Bollard, Brown, Baick, Sir J. Carroll, Colvin, J. S. Dickson, W. H. Field, Fletcher, Fraser, Glover, Henare, Herdman, Hemes, Hudson, McCallum, Mac Donald, Massey, Myers, Parata, Payne, Pomare, Reed, T. W. Rhodes, Scott, R. W. Smith, Tbacker, Witty, Sir J. G. Ward. Against 8 o'clock (41). Sir J. Allen, Anderson, Anstey, Buddo, Craigie, Dickie, J. M. Dickson, Ell, T. A. .H. Field, Forbes, Guthrie, Hanan, Harris, Hindmarsh, Hornsby, Hunter, Isitt, Lee, McCombs, Mander, A. K. Newman, E. Newman. Noewortby. Parr, Peace, Poland, Poole, R. H. Rhodes, Russell, Sidey, G. H. Smith, Stathßm, Sykes, Talbot, "Thomson, Veitch, Walker, Webb, Wilkinson, Wright, Young. The House was buzzing with ex- | cited conversation when the division i was in progress, and when the anj nouncement wa3 made the supporters I of 6 o'clock wore smiling faces, and I they cheered joyously. The Prime Minister at once rose to I make a statement; "In moving the I second reading of the Bill," he said, "I promised that no influence would be used on any member as to how they should vote. That promise has been ftithfully kept—("Hear, hear.") The vote has gone against the particular proposal in the Bill which "was the point of controversy, and I accept the division of the House on behalf of the Government. Now", Mr Malcolm, I propose to insert 'six.'"—(Loud applause).

Mr Witty said he wished to insert "nine," and asked priority for his amendment. The Chairman ru'ed that the amendment could not have priority, and "six" remained the question. The Prime Minister's amendment was agreed to by 44 votes to 26. Following was the division list:— Ayes (44).—Sir J. Allen, Anderson, Anstey, Buddo, Craigie, J. M. Dickson, J. S. Dick son, Ell, r. A. Field, W. H. Field, Firaser, Guthrie, Hanan, Harris, Hindmarsb, Hornsby, Hunter, Isitt, Lee, McCombs, Mander, Masseyi Myers, A. K. Newman, E. Newman, Nosworthy, Okey, Parr, Pearce, Poland, Poole, R. U. Rhoces, Russell, Sidey, Veitch, Walker, Wilkinson, Wright, Young. Noes (26) —Bollard, Brown, Buick, ; Sir J. Carroll, Colvin, Dickie, Fletchi er, Forbes, Glover, Henare, Herdman, [ Hemes, Hudson, McCallum, Mac- | Donald, Parata, Payne, Pomare, Reed. Scott, R. W. Smith, Statham, Tback- [ er, Sir J. G. Ward, Webb, Witty. Mr Witty moved that the anti-shout-ing law be repealed and Mr Pearce supported the amendment, as also did Messrs Webb, Veitcn, Payne and Parata. Sir James Allen and Mr Isitt spoke in favcor of the retention of , this restriction. I On being put to the vote the amend- . ment was lost by 47 to 21.