HOTEL CLOSING HOURS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9691, 20 June 1917, Page 5

HOTEL CLOSING HOURS

SIR JOHN FINDLAY FAVOURS SIX O’CLOCK. Press Association. HASTINGS. Juno 19. Replying; at "rent length to a big deputation, armed with a petition bearing over 3000 names, urging b o'clock closing of hotels, Sir John Findlay, M.P.. wholly committed himself to give his strongest support-to the curtailment of the hours for the soiling of liquor. Stating attPudo on the licensing question generally, lie said he favoured a 55 per cent, majority hut tho times wore abnormal. Attar most serious thought,' and consultation with those best able to give reliable information, and using his observation as diligently as possible, ho had definitely come to the conclusion that hotel bars should he closed at b o’clock in the interests of public welfare and national efficiency during tho great struggle. He said the courageous example of Great Britain surely was one that was eloquent of the necessity for New Zealand taking-a drastic Sir John Findlay quoted the example .set by the Australian States. Ho. stated that the chief obstacle is the attitude of the present Government towards 6 o’clock closing, as disclosed by the Ministers’ voting when the proposal to shorten hours was before the House last year. ‘‘lf.” ho said, the will of the people by an immense majority demands 6 o’clock closing, vabv net is bound not to resist that will, and if it 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 by the State, ho said this was out of the fjuostion, hut ho thought the loss should be fairly divided between the licensee and the landlord in tho way of i readjustment of rent. He would make no distinction between clubs and hotels, and would support 0 o’clock legislation with all the persistency and ability at his command. WANGANUI RESOLUTION. Press Association. WANGANUI. June 19. At a public meeting of citizens held to-night, resolutions were carried demanding that the Government introduce legislation to reduce the hours for the sale of liquor to he from 8 a.in. to G p.m., and also make provisions for taking a triennial prohibition poll in December next or an immediate referendum on prohibition during the war and for tho period of demobilisation.