SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3118, 23 June 1917, Page 10

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

HOW OTAGO MEMBERS STAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, June 22. A petition containing 17,672 signatures in favour of six o'clock closing of hotel bars has been presented to the local members of Parliament. Mr. T. K. Sidey, M.P., said it depended on the Government whether members were given an opportunity to voto on the question. Ho hoped Parliament would extend more favourable consideration to the question this .year than last. Ho was prepared to support a. referendum. Mr. Statham, M.P., said ho could not go the length of supporting the petition, but he would see that it received fair play. He was willin;,' that the people should have a referendum at the end of this year. Mr. Downie Stewart, M.P., who was iinaWe to bo present promised to support tho petition. He was convinced in regard to the soldiers that the most mischief was done after six o'clock. His attendance in Parliament would only be occasional—his progress to health being very .slow. Mr. A. Walker, M.P., wrote promising to support the petition.

A WELLINGTON BALLY. The people of the Dominion are being thoroughly aroused to the necessity of doing everything possible to win the war. Representative deputations are waiting upon monikers of Parliament before they leave for Wellington,, urging them to present to Parliament on the opening day and to heartily support largely-signed petitions in favour of the closing of all liquor bars at G p.m. until six mouths after tho war. The promoters of the movement in AVeilington advertise a demonstration in the. Town Hall on Wednesday night next at S o'clock. The president of Hie New Zealand Alliance, the Kov. P. S. Smallh'elil, J3.A., is to preside, and Commissioner lloddcr, Knv. John Paterson, M.A., Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., and .Mrs. Napier (Edinburgh), are to be tho speakers. Three Salvation Artn.v bands are to load a large spectacular procession to tho hall. As this will be the final demonstration before Parliament opens, it is expected that there will te a large attendance.