SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9792, 16 October 1917, Page 2

SIX O’CLOCK CLOSING

HOTELKEEPERS ASK FOB A REBATE ON LICENSES. A deputation representing the Licensed Victuallers' Association waited on the finance committee of the City Counci, vesterday to requet-t that a. rebate should bo made on the licensee fees charged to hotelkeepers. The members of the deputation wore Merisis J- J. -McGrath (solicitor), P. J. Griffin, B. Dwyer, J. McFarland. JMcDonald, and E. Page. Mr McGrath, who acted a espokesmon for the deputation, urged that in view of the passing of the 6 o clock closing bill a rebate of the license fees paid for the -right to sell between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.tm. be made. He mentioned that in proportion to the hour’s the amount of -the rebate should be £ll ISa 4d on each license. The Mlayor (Mr J. F. Luke) said that the liquor -trade was in the same position as any other trade, and he did not see that it had mlade any sacrifices. He did not thmk the trade whs entitled to any rebate. Mr McGrtith pointed out that people connected with the trade hod done their duty in connddtion with the war ns well as anv other section of the community. both by sending men to the front and by slip porting patriotic objects financially. Members of the trade who wore spoken to hy a ''Times” representative e-nid thoit the attitude of the Mayor on the question was charodteri-stic. Instead of sticking to the point Mr Luke fiad made a patriotic speech. The public could judge as to whether Wellington hotelkeepers needed any reminding of their patriotic duties.