SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 82, 5 October 1915, Page 3

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

DURING CURRENCY OF WAR PROPOSAL DISCUSSED IN" PARLIAMENT. Should hotel bars be closed at 6 p-m. during the currency of the war? This subject was discussed in the Hou&tv of Representatives yesterday aftenvnon, arising out of the Parliamentary Committee's report on the numerous _ petitions presented to the House urging 6 o'clock closing. The report was as tollows : "In the opinion of the Committee, this being a matter of policy, the Committee has no recommendation i.b make, but considers the question of such .importance at the present juncture* that it is of opinion that the Government should give the whole matter its early consideration." 'Mr. L. M. Isitt said he wanted to , enter a protest 'before the House. He! wanted strongly to impress upon the ! National Government and the Prime Minister that the report was so worded that it in no way relieved the National Government of its responsibility in * the matter. He submitted that there was no member of the House who would not admit that it was incumbent on all men and women who called themselves patriotic, at this crisis in the Empire's affairs, to, sacrifice, or at all events curtail such luxuries and superfluities, as in their nature drained the finance of this., country and tended to weaken its defence. He protested against the Government doing nothing to prevent £4,000,000 being spent on alcoholic liquors. Further, he denounced the practice of "treating." Mr. H. G. Ell referred to the young men who were going away who were to be seen in an advanced state of intoxication, and protested, against the mistaken idea that it was the proper thing to "treat" the soldiers. Mr. J- Craigie thought that if a. poll were taken, it would show that the majority of the people were in favour of 6 o'clock closing at the present time. After other members had urged the Government to bring 6 o'clock dosing into qperation, the debate was interrupted by the dinner adjournment. '