SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 September 1917, Page 2

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING.

PLEA FOE COMPENSATION. WELLINGTON, Sept. 21. It is understood that hotel licensees who also own the freehold of the premises they occupy have approached the Government with a view to obtaining some compensation for the loss which will be caused by the reduction of hours. The matter will be placed before the Statutes Revision Committee, which is considering the new clauses inserted in the bill, and it is possible some provision of relief may put in the bill when it goes before the Legislative Council. It is understood, however that there is practically no likelihood of actual monetary compensation being made. > PRESS OPINION. The "Lyttelton Times" discussing editorially the passage of the 6 o'clock clause in the Liquor Restriction Bill, writes: —What the Government really desired to: get through its Bill was some measure of peace from the eternal threats and embarrassments it is subjected to over the licensing question, and the compromise- of nine to eight offered to the House was what might have been expected in the/ circumstances. But Ministers were not the only people influenced by public opinion. Members were evidently impressed by the meetings held all over the country in favour of six o'clock closing, and no doubt, in mixing with their constituents, they noted the growth of this feeling, which has certainly manifested itself very strongly lately all over New Zealand. To our mind this is at least the. partial explanation of the fact that while an attempt last year to make the closing hour eight, was defeated by 42 votes to 29, six o'clock closing was carried yesterday by 44 votes to 26. When early in the committee stage the amendment to strike out the world "eight" was carried by a substantial majority, the Prime Minister at once acknowledged the victory of the six o'clock side by proposing that the word "six" be inserted. Mr. Massey was quite right; to have proposed seven would have been to abuse the spirit of compromise, and would have served no useful purpose, even if the Government could have carried that.