EARLY CLOSES IN IN N.Z.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 144, 21 June 1916, Page 4

EARLY CLOSES IN IN N.Z.

FUR THE 11 SPECULATION. WELLINGTON, June 20. In view of the fact that the hearing:, of further evidence in icgard to pe-. titions presented to tlw House u favour of ti o’clock closing of hotels, has been postponed till next wyrtk, there is not so much 'calk in the on the subject of liquor control as therewas last week. Both those who favour as well as those who oppose, reduction of hotel hours, still express tl emselves in hopeful terms. Those opposed to veductum states that as a result of t careful pricking of the cards, they are assured of a majority. They claim that out of 71 members (the maximum voting strength of the House after allowing for the Speaker and absentees) they can command at least 36 certain votes, and that the votes of a number of others may be relied upon in favour of a continuation of the present hours.. Some of the opponents of reduced hours assert that there should be no restriction of hours under licenses that are greater in terms of the Licensing Act without compensation, 'i hoso wiiofavour reduction claim that'there is no precedent for the payment ol anj - compensation in regard to what they contend is a measure of national economy during war time. As already indicated, the disposition of those opposed to reduction of hours has been to offer no opposition to th<» anti-shouting clause; hut if is stated that if those who are demanding themore stringent regulations ol the liquor traffic will not he content with the anti-treating clause as a hut also press for reduction vvfeours, tlie provision against anti-shou®g, as well as the demand for early closing, may he opposed. The possibility of a compromise in the form of eight o’clock closing, which was mentioned last week, is still suggested. RESOLUTION BY N.Z. ALLIANCE. STRONG PROTEST AGAINST GOVERNMENT ACT!ON. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 20. A special meeting of the New Zealand Alliance executive was held this afternoon, when the following resolution was unanimously adopted that hi view of the urgent need for economy and .efficiency, in order to win the great war in which our nation is engaged, * need which has been stressed by the Prime Minister of Great Britain, anal by our own Prime Minister, a.- well a* by the military authorities and business men, this Executive learns with satisfaction that the Government, n the War Regulations Bill, proposes to deal effectively with the practice )f shouting or treating. It deeply regrets, however, that despite the presentation of petitions to Parliament containing 100,000 signatures, ip favour of the early, closing of la tel bars, there is no provision in the Pill dealing with this subject. It views with alarm the decision of the committee to which the petitions were referred to adjourn for nearly a fortnight consideration of one of the most urgent matters now before Parliament, and calls upon all those w r ho do not desire to see the question shelved to take prom tut- action with a view to inducing Parliament to pass the necessary legislation iwth--with. »