EARLY CLOSING OF BARS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9694, 23 June 1917, Page 7

EARLY CLOSING OF BARS

A DUNEDIN PETITION. Pres* Association. DUNEDIN, Juno 22. A petition containing 17,672 signatures in favour of tho 6 o'clock closing of bars was presented to tho local members of Parliament. Air T. It. Sidey said it depended on the Government whether members would bo given an opportunity to vote on the question. He hoped Parliament would extend more favourable consideration to tho question this year than last. He was prepared to support a referendum. Air C. E. Stathara said he could not go the length of supporting tho petition, bub would see it received fair play. He was willing that the people .should have a referendum a* the end of this year. Mr Downio Stewart, who was unable to be present, promised to support the petition. He was convinced as regards soldiers most of the mischief was done after 6 o’clock. His attendance in Parliament would bo only occasional, his progress to healtn being very slow. . . . Air A. Walker wrote, promising to support the petition. LOCAL DEMONSTRATION. Representative deputations are waitin" upon members of Parliament before they leave for AVollington, urging them to present to Parliament on the opening day and support heartily largelysigned petitions in favour of the closmg of all liquor bars at 6 p.m. until six months after the war. The promoters of the movement in Wellington advertise a demonstration in the Town Hall on Wednesday night next at 8 pm. The president of the New Zealand Alliance. Rev. P. S. Smallflold, B A., is to preside. Commissioner Hodder, S.A.. Rev. John Paterson, At.A., Mr C. H. Poole, M.P., and Mrs Napier, Edinburgh, are to he tho speakers. Three Salvation Army hands arc to lead a largo spectacular procession to the hall. As this will be the final demonstration before Parliament opens it is expected that there will ho a large attendance.