HOTEL HOURS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 17 July 1917, Page 6

HOTEL HOURS.

THE SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING MOVEMENT. "PRICE3NG THE CARD." (SPECIAL TO "the rEESS.") •WELLINGTON, July 10. The Parliamentary loaders of tho movement in favour of tho compulsory closing of hotel bars at 6 p.m. liavo been making si canvass of members with tho object of finding out what support the proposal is likely to rceeive uhou the Government Bill dealing: with tho matter comes uji for consideration in tho House. A s the result of careful inquiries they have come to the conclusion they can rc-ly upon tho assist anco of 37 members; that 31 members will probably vote against the proposal; and that tho attitude of 5 is doubtful. This accounts for 7G out of the SO members. Thcf other four consist of tho Speaker and the three members who are at tho front. Some people think that S a.m. to 8 p.m. will bo the business hours fixed in the promised Government Bill, but it is quito possible that Cabinet may dcciclo in favour of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. No one crun at present sav what tho effoct of these compromise? proposals may be on the strength of tho six o'clock party. They may shake tho allegiance of some of them, and may capture tho support of tho doubtful ones. The two sides at eso evenly balanced that neither can afford to ]c«o any of its followors.

The New Zealamd Alliance have declared that G o'clock is their irreducible minimum and tho G o'clock proposal will almost certainly bo carried to a division. There is an impression abroad that tho Trade would, if driven to it, accept 8 o'clock as a compromise, but no official hint to that effect hits yet been given. A sharp conflict is expected when the Bill comes before the House.