SATURDAY NIGHT CLOSING

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 67, 17 September 1917, Page 8

SATURDAY NIGHT CLOSING

A PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

The.Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill will probably be debated by the House of Representatives to-morrow. It is understood that in Committee an amendment will be moved by Mr. G. J. Anderson, providing that, instead of closing at 8 o'clock on Saturday night,, hotels shall close at 6 o'clock. -V . Another amendment to Jbe .moved will be in .the direction of reducing the rent payable under the lease, agreement for lease, or tenancy of the premises in respect of which the tenancy has beep executed, entered into, or created before the passing of the Act, or modifying or cancelling any of the covenants or conditions of any such lease, agreement, or •tenancy. . . ... . ; It is further proposed that.if a Magistrate is satisfied that, by reason of the shorter hours of sale fixed by the Act, the rent of an hotel should be reduced, or any covenant or condition should be modified or cancelled, he shall make an order modifying the conditions to such an extent as he thinks proper.

It is understood that these provisions of the amendment are likely, to affect the votes of some members; who would not otherwise, be in favour of the earlier closing hours. ; . ' ■.