The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1917. HOTEL HOURS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1917. HOTEL HOURS.

The vote of the House on tha hours of closing of hotels—44 to 26—was decisive The Cabinet suggested eight o'clock; the members went the "whole hog," and declared for six o'clock. The hotels will, therefore, close at that hour as from November 1. This is a far-reaching departure, even in war time. Interfere with the liquor traffic, and immediately there is trouble or dispute. On the one side are the prohibitionists, bent on rooting out the traffic entirely; on the other, powerful vested interests; between are those who strongly resent any intr-""ranee with what they may wish to Ci or eat. It is almost impossible under such conditions to get a dispassionate and impartial judgment on any question affecting the sale of liquor or conduct of hotels. Yet tho present is a, time moro than any other when the subject should be approached with impartiality and clearness. The demand for six o'clock closing received the cordial support ot the prohibitionists, who, indeed, would have favored any proposal that tended to clip the. wings of the trade, but it also was accorded very strong support oy other sections, which believed that in times of stress like the present, a custom that is ordinarily a luxury and frequently destructive, of efficiency, should be curtailed. There was also a feeling that in prolonging tile life of the present Parliament, the Government should have given the public the opportunity of voting on the liquor issues. There was really no half way between six o'clock ano ten o'clock. Eight o'clock, ottered by Cabinet, was, after all, only a compromise, and asserted no principle whatever. Aad it was a principle that was involved. We believe there is a pretty general feeling throughout New Zealand that the hours of selling liquor should be restricted, as has been the case in practically every other country during the war. Indeed, the Government failed in its duty in not giving a lead in this matter at the outset of the war. But its whole attitude towards the problems created by the war has been 'weak and disappointing. On this question it has followed where it should have led. Admittedly it is a thorny question, hut the country would have applauded a strong, definite stand, even if it did not accord with the sentiments of the majority of electors. If Cabinet lacked the courage to take the initiative, and stand or fa I: by its attitude, it oeuld have taken a referendum, and left the decision to the people. Now the Cabinet, judging from the statements of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, proposes to take a poll on-the question within th-> next si* months, and so settle the question as to whether the liquor trade is to continue as heertofore. This is highly desirable, for the constant agitation is unsettling and bad for everyone concerned. But the public will not be satisfied \vith the old issues. There must be addcl another issue, that of State control. It has taken a long time to educate public opinion on this issue, but it is now a fore* to reckon with, and is receiving the support of many prominent men, including not a few of those who, in the past, have accorded support to the prohibition - mev«ia«at> if for. no other mica thsn

that they were unable to endorse the alternative issues. Mr. Massey suggested that a bare majority should decide the poll. This is an important concession, and will be hailed with delight by the prohibition party. Left to the House to decide, it is probable a bare majority would be carried. In case of a poll, the views of our men at the front must not be ignored. Arrangements would need to be made whereby they could register their votes on this importaut matter. It is satisfactory to note that provision is to be made for an adjustment of rents, etc., of the licensed premises, as between landlords and tenants, otherwise grave hardship may be inflicted on many licensees, who, as it is, with the increase in prices of all liquors, additional duty, restrictions of anti-shouting and now restriction of hours, will be in no enviable position. The general good, however, h the paramount consideration, and in war times sacrifices are nob always equal. There are other directions in which, the .general efficiency of the people could be promoted, and economy, so necessary io r us to pay our share of the war, could be effected; tut so far the recommendations of the Efficiency Board in these respects have, as in connection with the licensing question, been ignored by the Government. i