CLOSING HOTEL BARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17007, 14 November 1918, Page 4

CLOSING HOTEL BARS.

HEALTH OFFICER'S POSITION.

PLEA for PUBLIO support.

Referring last evening to the instructions issued by him to close hotel and club bars entirely for three day 0 ■ from Tuesday to to-day inclusive, Dr. J. P. Frengley, acting-chief health officer, stated that the previous step he had taken in closing the burs, except for one hour a day, had been a failure. Hie present action waa solely due lo a sincere desire 0 save men and women from themselves in this fearful time.

In this matter he wished to feel that he had the backing of the citizens, and he suggested that Mayors and chairmen of local bodies in the province should telegraph to the Minister for Public Health to-day their views on the question of keeping open or closing of hotel bars in those times, in their own districts. He also suggested thuse financially interested in the sale of liquor to do the same. Ho was thoroughly sympathetic with the position of those whose livelihood might oe taken away or wages diminished by the closing of bars. His own mind was made up on the question of the desirability of tlie action he had taken, but he wanted to know how ha stood with responsible public opinion generally. Never before in the Dominion was human life so much at stake. Tho question was, did the public of Auckland Province want him to try and help them or not ? AUTHORITY GAZETTED. [BT TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION'.] WELLINGTON, Wednesday. Authority has been gazetted for district health officers to close hotel bars, club bars or other places for the purpose of checking the spread of influenza.