Hotels on VJ Day

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 11, 15 August 1945, Page 5

Hotels on VJ Day

! SHOITIxD THEY BE CTjOSED? Wlr:n the Lower Hutt City Council were discussing the arrangements for VJ Day at last Monday's meeting, Cr. G. L. Ciesen said he desired that representations be made jlo close the hotels on VJ Day. Cr. luiesen said that, he liad been greatly disturbed by reports from 'Sydney where disgraceful scenes had been witnessed. Me was sure that drinking was the main cause of such scenes. Cr. I-I. V. I-lorlor seconded the proposal and the Mayor spoke in favour of it, but doubted if the City Council was strictly within its province in malting the recommendations. A question by Cr. I-I. S. Dudding as to iiow long it was desired to close the hotels Drought forth a variety of suggestions varying from a few hours to the "entire period of the celebrations." Cr. J. B. Young thought it was entirely wrong for the Council'to express an opinion in the matter. It was a national question and should be decided by the Government. The Mayor: "But how can the Government gauge public opinion without hearing the views of local bodies." He did not think it fair that while all other businesses were required .to be closed, the hotels should remain open. Cr. Young w"as sure that any form of arbitrarily imposed restrictions would only lead to trouble. Cr. E. P. Hay: "I am not a patron of hotels, but I do know that large numbers of people feel that a certain amount of intoxicating liquor is necessary to the proper celebration of VJ Day and I would hesitate to set an arbitrary limitation. A motion that the hotels be closed for the first four hours following the victory announcement was finally defeated by 8 votes to 4, those in favour of the motion being the lilayor, Crs. Horlor, Giesen and Muir.