A CANARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1917, Page 5

A CANARD.

HOTELS TO BE CLOSED. The following canard circulated by tho Pre?? Association appeared in Saturday's papers throughout the Dominion:—

"The Efficiency Board has made a separate report on the liquor trade for presentation to Parliament. The document is now in the hands of tho Government. It is understood that the board's recommendations are of a most drastic and far-reaching character. The board expresses the opinion that all hotel bars should be closed altogether for the period of the war and for six months afterwards, and that hotelkeepers should receive compensation for the loss sustained."

On being interviewed by a New Zealand Times representative, Mr. William Ferguson (chairman of the National Efficiency Board) pave the statement an emphatic denial. He could say no more than that it was incorrect, he added; and referred the reporter for further information to the Hon. Sir James Allen. The National Efficiency Board, stated Sir James Allen, had presented a report which contained certain auggestions on the'subject. The question of closing the hotels' was dealt with in the report, which would be presented to Parliament in due course.'

In Christchurch, the Sun referred the matter to Mr. J. A. Frostick, the Canterbury member of the National Efficiency' Board, who said: "The recommendation of the National Efficiency Board on this question was handed in on July 0. I admit that the recommendations were far-reaching. As to their being drastic, that is an indefinite term, a matter of degree only, and I am not prepared to divulge what the recommendations were, as I assume that the proper channel is first the CaWnet then Parliament, and afterwards the public. I wish to say that the statements contained in the telegram are incorrect."