HOTEL HOURS QUESTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16570, 20 June 1917, Page 8

HOTEL HOURS QUESTION

PUBLIC, MEETING TO BE HELD

MAYOR AGREES TO PRESIDE.

A request was made to the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, yesterday that he should convene a public meeting to discuss the proposal that hotel bars should be closed at 6 m. It was supported by a representative deputation of business men, including Messrs. W. B. Leyland, E. Anderson, A. J. Entrican, C. F. Buddie, E. E. Grimwade, A. M. Ferguson, F. Bodle, JRobertson, S. 'J. Harbutt, C. J. Tunks, Arch. Clark, M. Clarke, A. Grierson. B. Buttle, J. F. Ewen, T B. Arthur, T. Mac kay, H. Goldie, J. Roberton A. N. Snedden, G. W. Bews, and A. St. Clair Brown. Mr. Leyland said the deputation desired Mr. Gunson to call a public meeting of citizens so that they might have an opportunity of voicing their opinions m reference to the question of the sis o clock closing of the public bars. They also asked that Mr. Gunson,, as Mayor of the city, would preside. Leyland said this course had been followed unWellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. There was a strong feeling that while there was a National Ministry it was more than ever necessary that pressure of public opinion should be brougnt to bear on the Government, and that their desires should be presented in the crystallised form of resolutions carried by public meeting. They were convinced that six o'clock closing would contribute towards the physical, moral, and financial efficiency of the Dominion. , ~ , Mr. A. J. Entrican. Deputy-Mayor, also spoke in support of the request. Mr. Gunson asked if the deputation would arrange for the speakers. He was assured that it would, and that the date of the meeting would be July 9. Mr. Gunson then said that he would gladly, accede to the request, and would convene a meeting, at which he would take the chair.

SIB john FINDIiAY'S" VIEWS.

INTERESTS OF PUBLIC WELFARE.

[bt telegram.— association.]

HASTINGS. Tuesday. Replying to a deputation urging six o'olock closing, Sir John Findlay, M.P., said he had wholly committed himself to give the strongest support to the curtailment of the hours of selling liqnqr'. He favoured a 55 per cent, majority vote, but the times were abnormal, ana, after the most serious thought and consultation with those best able to give reliable information, and using his observation- as diligently as possible, he had definitely come to the conclusion that hotel bars should be closed at six o'clock in the interests of public welfare and national efficiency during the great struggle. The courageous example set by Great Britain was surely one that was eloquent of the necessity for New Zealand taking the same drastic step. He quoted the example set by Australian States, and stated that, the chief obstacle was the attitude of : the present Government towards six o'clock closing as disclosed by Ministers' voting when the proposal to shorten the hours of closing was before the House last year. "If it is the will of the' people, by an immense majority, which .demands six o'clock closing," he said, "Cabinet is bound not to resist that will, and if Cabinet cannot see its way to give legislative expression to it, its proper duty is to give place to a Ministry which can." ( Referring to compensation to publicans, Sir John Findlay said compensation by the State was out of the question, bat. he thought the loss should be fairly divided between the licensee and the landlord in the way of readjustment. He would make no distinction between clubs and hotels, and would support six o'clock legislation with all the persistence and ability at his command.

A CAMBRIDGE PETITION. i [Br TEMTGJUTiH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday. A public meeting was held in the Town Hall on , Monday, at which a petition, signed by upwards of 1200 electors, advocating gut o'clock closing of hotel bars during the currency of the ■war,. was presented to Mr. J. A. Young, M.P. The speakers were Mayor, Mr. E. J., Wilkinson, and ' Messrs. E. Veale, Richard Reynolds, president of the Waikato Gentral Agricultural and Pastoral Association, •F. Pemberton, president of the Waikato Winter Show, and J. Christie, representing the Y.M.C.A. Mr. Young said he was prepared to support in Parliament a measure designed to curtail the hours for the sale of intoxicating liquor. WANGANUI RESOLUTIONS. [BY telegraph.—press association.] ' , WANGANtTI. Tuesday. j A public meeting held to-night carried resolutions in favopr of the early closing of hotels, and urging the Government to take a triennial prohibition poll ? the first to be in December next, or an immediate referendum on prohibition during the war and demobilisation period.