SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1917, Page 2

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING.

TRADE 'DEPUTATION TO

MINISTERS. I By Telegraph.-—Press Association. Wellington, July 21. A deputation of the liquor trade interests waited on the Prime Minister thin morning, Mr. Herdman being also present, Mr. A. E. Kernot, president of the national council representing all liquor interests opposed to further restrictions, stilted that the agitation was a breach of faith in the light of the contract at the last poll. The restrictions imposed last year resulted in a reduction of 25 per cent, of hotel business. The trade was unable to bear the dual sacrifice of shorter hours and anti-shouting, which would mean ruination to (the majority, but to meet the exigencies of the position he proposed (1) the repeal of the anti-shouting regulations; (2) curtailment of hours for the period of the war and six months thereafter to between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.; (3) the trade would the loss entailed thereby without requiring compensation, hut If further curtailment was requisite :• a national necessity the trade should i. compensated.

Mr. O. Aldridge, president of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, said that further restrictions would make it difficult for hotelkeepers to meet their financial obligations entered into following the 1914 poll. Shorter hours would drive -the trade into illegitimate fhannels, and ware not necessary in order to win the war, as New Zealand was not a munition area. The Savjngs Banks record showed there was no necessity for the regulations for economy purposes. The crime statistics showed a reduction of offences in the war period.

Mr. S. J. Gibbons, apeaking for country licensees, said the restrictions would make impossible the maintenance of the persent standard of comfort. Mr. Massey, in reply, said the other side of the. question which had been placed 'before him by the deputation would receive consideration. He believed Parliament would have to reconsider the whole licensing question so as to get rid of agitation from year to year. A British Parliamentary Committee reported in favor of State control. Personally be wrts not enamoured of State ownership, but if it were likely to be a solution of the difficulty they would have to consider it.