CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1921, Page 5

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

BILL PASSED BY HOUSE. POSITION OF HOTELS. By Telegraph.--j -- r s Assn.—Copyrigtt. Wellington, Last Night. The House to-night went into committee on the Public Holidays Amendment Bill. The Minister stated that satisfactory arrangements had been made with the railway employees in connection with holidays. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) claimed that the Bill had gone further than the House intended, because under the existing law licensed premises would be closed on Monday, while it had been stated that under this Bill the public bars would be open. He asked the Minister to accept an amendment which would ensure the closing of bars on the Monday. Sir John Luke (Wellington North) contended that what Mr. McCombs was asking for was two sacred days for Christmas, and it was absurd. Mr. L. M Isitt (Christchurch North; strongly supported the closing of bars on the Monday. The Hon. W. D. Stewart said this was unfair discrimination against one section of the community. Mr. McCombs contended that no alteration in .he existing law was made so far as New Year’s Day was concerned, because the bars were open on that day. Therefore the Bill was ciearly an extension of licensing hours, although they had been told there was to be no licensing legislation this session. In clause 2, paragraph B, Mr. McCombs moved: “That on such day (Monday) all licensed premises shall remain closed.” This was lost by 51 votes to 7. The Bill passed its remaining stages.