LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2702, 23 February 1916, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS. Sir, —A very important matter was reported in your paper of to-day re early closing of hotels, but unfortunately the vagueness of the report and the fact that 110 names are n.-entioned lends a taint of suspicion to the movement that augurs ill for its ultimate success. If there is real justification lor this demand for early closing "for the sake of our soldiers," surely the "citizens" who are moving in the matter caii come fearlessly into the open at the outset. At present the whole thing savours of a well-known and actively. extreme organisation, whose appearance in the field will not give the public confidence in the movement. This l'act has apparently been realised, but the attempt to cloak the geiiesis of tlio movement in mystery has been sadly bungled. Awaiting further information, —I am, etc., DIOGENES. Wellington, February 22, 1916. Sir, —In your issue of this morning there is an account of a mooting of unnamed. "citizens" who are rpparently about to start a campaign for closing the' hotel and club bars 111 the "interests of our soldiers." As one wlio has got past the age of innocence, let me first say that the Prohibition Party should try some better disguise. Everyone in New Zealand knows ihat they have been agitating since the war started, first to liavo laws passed prohibiting the sale of liquor to men in uniform altogether, and then, finding that unpopular, to have the hotel hours restricted. Now, under the all-embrac-ing term of "citizens" they are going to try to deceive the public and the authorities into the belief ihat there is really someone else besides the Prohibitionists who want these restrictions of hours brought about. The public would bo well served by having the names of these mysterious "citizens" published. Could you comply with this request without betraying a confidence? —I am, etc., ANOTHER CITIZEN. Wellington, February 21, 1916. Sir, —Under the heading ''For the Sake of Our Soldiers," in to-day's paper, appears the report of a meeting, having for its object the early dosing of hotel and club bars. .The good people who are anxious to bring this restriction about —I notico you do rot give their names —are quite entitled to their opinions, but their claim to be working in the interests of the soldiers must be challenged immediately. The soldiers of this Dominion are well behaved and sober, and this constant insinuation of incapacity to resist the temptations of the hotel bars is an open insult to our defenders. Some few may get jolly when they come to town (and good luck to them), but the statements that liquor lias interfered with _ their efficiency are refuted by the brilliant deeds of thoso at the front, r.nd by the recent announcement of tho Minister of Defence, who said that -if all the men who had gone through the training camps of tlio Dominion, culy three have been discharged for drunkenness. The Australian Minister of Defence issued a mandate temporarily dosing the hotels at six o'clock-, but we row know U;at this was following on 'a series of disgraceful military riots from which we in New Zealand have been, and will continuo to be, fortunately free. I think that, should the necessity ever unfortunately arise, we can mist our own Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen) to take prompt action in any similar direction really required, without this eternal extremist agitation. —I am, etc., TRUST THE MEN. GERMAN COODS. Sir, —Judging from remarks made in your columns by Ministers of the Grown, many imagine it is impossible for German goods to come into New Zealand. Nevortholess, it appears they are coming in. and at mucli lower freights than English goods. How is it done? Agents for Swedish lirniß are selling to-day typical Gorman goods, which these Swedish firms never offered before the war. These are evidently German goods. Buyers aro told that British consular certificates are supplied with each shipment. It evidently does not take much dust to

blind tlio British consul's eyes. Theso' "Swodish" goods are quotecj to-day— in these days of high freights—at extraordinarily low rajes, for example, while freight from New York to Sydney is £11 por ton, freightlfrom Gotlionlui'rg to Sydney is 38s. per ton. Before tho war it wa-s typical cf German-made methods that merchants could .import German goods from German ports, via London, at a much lower rate of freight than they could import English goods by tho same steamer from London.—l am, etc., BRITISH.