DRINK AND THE WAR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17113, 19 September 1917, Page 6

DRINK AND THE WAR.

QUESTION OP 6 O'CLOCK CLOSING. .PROCESSION" TO PARLIAMENT. PRIME MINISTER PROMISES BILL A STRAIGHT RUN. (Fnow Oun Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON-, September 18. The procession to Parliament organised by tho Six O'clock Closing Party aroused a considerable amount of interest in the city this afternoon. When the time for speech-making arrived between 4000 and 5000 people had assembled in Parliament Grounds. It was a good-humoured, though rather noisy, crowd, and it soon became ovirient that a section of it was determined to get as much fun as possible out of tho proceedings. The deputation to Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward was introduced .by Dt Newman, who said all parte of the dominion were represented, including a delegation of 21 business men from. Auckland.

The Rev P. S. Smallfield. of Auckland, was the first speaker. He was commendably brief. He said the deputation asked for 6 o'clock closing as a minimum or a referendum on total prohibition. He was charged with messages from many of Mr Massey'e own constituents in favour of 6 o'elcck closing. Mr A. R. Atkinson, who was subjected to a good deal of interruption, said the deputation represented the 177,000 electors who had signed the petition in favour of 6 o'clock closing, and about as many more whoso names did not appear on the petition. He said ho was sorry he could not express even a minimum of gratitude to the Government for its Bill. Such a microscopic measure of reform as that proposed by the Government was fiddling rather than statesmanship. He hoped the Government would repent even at the eleventh hour, and make the Bill better than it was at present. He appealed to the Government to give the country at least 6- o'clock. As the crowd was evidently becoming impatient, Mr Atkinson brought his remarks to a rather hurried close.

Mr Holland (Mayor of Ghristchtrrch) claimed to speak on behalf of the business men of New Zealand. "We wnnt," he said, " 6 o'clock closing, and nothing else." Ho went on to state that he knew of no one who had asked for 8 o'clock. They had asked for bread and the Government had given them a stone. The business men were not prepared to accept that stone. They wanted no compromise. They wanted their legitimate rights. They asked for 6 o'clock, and would take nothing less.

Mr J. Court, of Auckland, said the Auckland business men were in favour of 6 o'clock closing, and would not accept, any compromise. It would be no use for the Government even to offer 6.30. The drink traffic was the greatest enemy to economy and efficiency the dominion had. Mr Court was proceeding to refer to the readiness of the people he represented to raise a large sum of the money necessary, but Mr Massey said Mr Court was striking a discordant note, and should not talk about the raising of money in this connection. Tho Prime Minister, in reply, saad he had promised a Liquor Bill soon after his return from England, and that promiee had been kept. Ho did Dot intend on that occasion to reply to all the pointe that had been raised. He was going to move the second reading of the Bill that evening, and would then reply to any points ho might miss in speaking to the deputation. No Liquor Bill which had ever been introduced in Parliament would have such a straight rtm as this one. No influence had been used, and none would be used until the Bill was finished with. Every member would be free to vote according to his convictions, and the Government would accept the result. Some peoplo said tho Government had done nothing to restrict the liquor traffic during the war. Last session they had passed the anti-shouting law.— (Derisive laughter.) "Will you have it off tho Statute Book?" asked Mr Massey. "I challenge you to answer. You do not know what good it has done." If the Bill passed as introduced the hotel hours in New Zealand would be shorter than in any Australian State except Victoria. A Voice: The hours have been shortened at the wrong end. Mr Massey added that he hoped that when the BiU got on the Statute Book the deputation -wotdd be mote satisfied with it than they were at present. Instead of being abused, threatened, and coerced the Government "should be praised for what it bad done. • j. Sir Joseph Ward did not speak, and the gathering terminated after singing the National Anthem, followed by three cheers for 6 o'clock closing.

BILL BEEOBE THE HOUSE

SECOND READING DEBATE. SPEECH BY MR MASSEY. . (Feom Otis Own Correspondent ) WELLINGTON, September 18. The parts of the House of Representatives eet aside for the public were crowded in every part to-night, when tho Prime Minister moved tho second reading of the Sale of Liquor Restriction Bill. There had been a great demand for admission tickets, and the accommodation was not sufficient for half those who desired to hear the debate. There was much crushing around the doors, and when Mr Massey commenced to speak a determined effort was made to force a way in by one of the doors, the attendants having some difficulty in keeping back the intruders. The shrieking of women could be heard, and the Speaker's j attention was called to the disorder. The Speaker threatened to have the gafleries cleared unless order was maintained, and eventually those who were unable to gain admission appeared to have accepted the inevitable, and the proceedings went on without farther interruption, ae far as tho public were concerned. There was a very largo attendance of members, and as Mr Massey went on with his speech it_ soon, became evident that he was addressing a keenly-interested House. In moving the second reading of the Bill, tho Prime Minister said it was in compliance with the promise made by him and tho Minister of "Finance shortly after their return from England to introduce- legislation in connection with the licensing question during the period of the war. The Bill was a non-party due in the truest sense of the term, and not the slightest attempt would be made by the Cabinet to influence members. There had been a great deal of I" feeling during the last few days—not so much in the House, but outside it, —and he hoped that during tho discussion on the Bill members would treat it in a sportsmanlike spirit. Interruptions from the lobbies outside at this juncture led to tho Speaker requesting the Sergeant-akarms to clear them. Mr Massey admitted that the reduction of hours proposed in the Bill would not satisfy an extreme section of the nublic. " Wo feel we are doing right," he said. " I feel thai I am doing right, though some pretty hard things have been said in some of the papers during the past two or three weeks." They had to remember that the licensing trade was legitimate. Supposing that at the last election the prohibitionists had won, and now the other side were \agitating for an extension of the hours, would they expect the Cabinet to deal with the question without taking time fully to diecuss it? They must remember that s largo section of the community waa in the habit of frequenting hotel bars and clubs for the purpose of social intercourse, and these people resented what was proposed in the Bill. Besides several deputations, he had received correspondence from many industrial unions, which ho named, protesting a.gainst early closing. These unions were circularised by the Hotel Workers' Union. Tho summary was:—26 against early dosing, 18 no action, one in favour of a referendum, and one in favour of 6 o'clock closing. Some of tho unions showed that tho early closing of hotels would result in unemployment. Mr Massey also read a letter expressing the strong feeling of chartered clubs against early" closing, and stating that many of them would in the event of such have to close down. Tho Prime Minister said there could bo little doubt that there was a strong division of feeling on the question in fJie 'country. It had been stated that tho anti-treating regulations were a farce. Would members support their abolition? Mr Anderson: Why should wo strike tbr-m out? Mr Massey: Yes, why? Tho Prime Minister quoted tho opinion of an opponent of Ins —a 6 o'clock closing advocate—who stated that since the introduction of tho regulations the number of "soldiers under the influence of lifluor in the streets was much le°s than previously. Mr Massey fruotod figures in support of his claim thai since tho anti-treating regulations had come into force tho number of convictions

for drunkegacss had materially decreased. Ho claimed that tho National Government had done its full share in tho direction of temperance joform, and said New Zealand would bo fully abreast of other countries if tho proposal contained in. the Bill was adopted, 'fho two hours —from 8 to 10 p.m.—that tho Government proposed to cut out were the most profitable of the day to tho footelkoepers. Ho did not like the idea of a referendum. Ho was not referring to tho triennial licensing poll. Members were charged with the enactment of laws, and if a member of Parliament was not prepared to go into the lobby and vote ho did not deserve to hold his seat. Many people imagined that the Efficiency Board recommended that the question of Iwnrs should go to tho public by way of referendum. Tho board rooominepded that tho hours bo fixed under the shop hours law—from 9 a.m. to 6 i>.in. It recommended a referendum on the total abolition of the liquor trade, subject to compensation being paid. Tho continual unrest on tho liquor question was not for tho good of the country. Ho was prepared to face tho public on the matter at tho proper time; but anything was better than the present unrest. He criticised the Efficiency Board's proposal to allow one late night per week for hotels. The Government's hours wore 66 per week, and tho Efficiency's Board's hours were 58. lie admitted that he had seen soldiers in tho streets of Wellington under the influence of liquor, but he gave an absorato denial to the statement that every day hundreds of drunken soldiers were to_ be seen. Soldiers were entitled to protection, but no more than other members of tho community. As to the question of finance, the Cabinet during the lart few_ days had boon considering proposals which would lead it this session to ask Parliament to agree to a proposed payment approximately of £700,000, and probably more. Say the introduction of„S o'clock closing meant a reduction in the country's revenue of £300.000, these two figures would mean £1.C00,000 for tlio dominion to find. Tie Government had be-pn subjected to a.good deal of abuse from the people. He hoped that when the Bill was passed members of the House and the public would not allow their cordial relations to be disturbed by, differences which arose in connection with the measure. OTHER MEMBEES' VIEWS. Mr Hornsby, wlio stated that ho was in favour of 6 o'clock closing, deplored tho fact that nothing was contained in the Bill allowing licensees of hotels to apply for a reduction of ront or for modifications of tho conditions of tenancy on the ground of hardship caused by the restricted hours of sale. He urged the Government to place a clause in the Bill preventing anyone from carrying on an illicrfc trade after tho bars closed, as ho hoped, at 6. Mr Harris asked the Government why, seeing that nearly 2X),000 electors had asked that tho bars should be closed at 6 o'clock, it fixed on 8 o'clock. Tho trade dared not get up a petition to Parliament. It could not got 10.000 signatures in tho whole of tho dominion. IVobabry 80 per cent, of tho people wanted 6 o'clock closing or to be given an opportunity to decide. Would the Government have brought down an 8 o'clock closing Bill if there was going to be a general election this year? Mr Masscy: Will you vote against tho Bill?

Mr Harris: I will certainly vote against 8 o'clock. If 6 o'clock were not agreed to a petition would bo presented with 300,000 signatures, asking for a dissolution of Parliament. "Are you," said Mr Harris, addressing the Prime Minister, "prepared to go to the country on this issue?" Mr Massey: Bring me a petition signed by 41 members of this House asking for a general election, and you will get it. Mr Harris said Mr Massey knew he was quite safo in making thai; statement. Mr Massey: Would you sign it? Mr Harris did not reply to this question. He said that if 6 o'clock , were not granted he would be prepared to demand that the ordinary licensing poll should tako place at the usual time. There were men in tho House who were continually speaking against monopolies, but who were bound heart and soul to tho greatest and moat wicked monopoly of all. Everything and everybody might suffer, but the trade must be left alone.

A STRONG ADVOCATE.

Mr Isitt said the Prime Minister had stated that they must stand between tho two parties. That was not his (Mr Isitt's) idea. A bold course was necessary for tho better efficiency of the country to help it in winning the war. As far as drink and gambling were concerned the Government had simply gone as far as it had been shoved by the people. If tho National Government had any conception of the good that could be done by suppressing the liquor evil it would have brought down a Bill that would have encouraged the House. The voting would be very close, but two or three members had indicated their intention to accept whatever proposal the Government brought down, so that very likely tho onus of the whole business lay on the Government. If the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward had brought in a, Bill for 6 o'clock doping no one doubted that it would have been carried. Tho House wanted some adjustment of the rents between landlords and licensees, and he was even prepared to concede some reduction in the £40 licensing fee, but beyond that he was absolutely opposed to any compensation being granted. Every licensee in taking out his license had always understood that it was subject to any action on tho part of the State for the public good. The State had never understood that the hotel was an adjunct to a license, but that the license was an adjunct to a bar..' Other trades had suffered loss through an alteration in the hours in which they were allowed to do business. Business places had suffered loss through tho change in the half-holiday from Thursday to Saturday, but they did not secure compensation. On what special grounds, then, did the licensing trade claim a special privilege?

Mr Lee stated that last year the whole of the Cabinet with two exceptions was diametrically opposed to these reforms. Was it, therefore, possible for the Cabinet to accede to them to-day without a struggle? As a result the 8 o'clock proposal had been dragged out of it. The Cabinet had not said one word thai 8 o'clock closing- was in the interest of efficiency. It was not in sympathy with it, and it was purely a compromise. On the one hand! Cabinet saw an enormous demand from the people for 6 o'clock closing, and on the other hand it saw the opposition of the trade, which would not concede one moment before 10 o'clock if it could avoid it; hence the 3 o'clock proposal, which pleased neither party. The time had arrived when not only the prohibitionists but the great moderate party were going to take a hand to alter a position . which successive Cabinets had failed to do. The tied-honse system had been an iniquity for many wars. The public had no time for consideration for tho trade, and was determined to tako a hand and enforce 6 o'clock closing. The trade as a trade had never attempted to deal with the damnable evil of the drink traffic. The trade had fought against the taxation which had been imposed on it, and ±his had been bitterly opposed. Mr Myers: That is absolutely incorrect.

Mr Leo said the Anti-shouting Act was not being enforced. The Attorney-general had said so.

Mr Hcrdtman: When did I say so? Mr Lee: Is it enforced? Mr Hcrdman: It is. The police arc doing their duty. Mr Lee: I am speaking of tho trade. Mr Hordmao: You are attacking me. You say tho law is not being enforced.

Mr Lee: It is not being carried out, and therefore it is not being enforced. The trade, Mr Lee contended, was not entitled to compensation when it dtid not attempt to adhere to the war regulations. He thought the Attorney-general agreed with him that it required an army of policemen to see that the regulations were enforced. No member of the House could move to bring in an amendment providing for the holding of a: referendum because it would mean tho spending of an additional sum of money, andi only the Government could do that. Therefore unless the Government proposed to hold a referendum it could not be hold even if a majority of members favoured it.

Mr Payne: Oh. yes; you can turn the Government out.

Mr Lee said ho would even go so far now as to advocate a bare majority on the licensing poll. It would be interestintr to have an expression of opinion from members of the Cabinet on the liquor question. They had sat very close. The 6 o'clock people (must vote for the second rendimg because it gave them 8 o'clock instead of 10. In committee there would be a motion to strike out 8 o'clock, and once 8 o'clock was gone the whole ouestion waa open, and he hoped tho members of the National Cabinet or a number of them would go into tho lobby in favour of 6 o'clock. THE GAME'S TTP. Mr Payne said he belonged to an Empire on whioh tho run never sets, and in which the "pubs" never shut.—(LaoiKhtar.) People said that dosing at 6 o'clock wae going to help to win the war. When tbe

Kaiser saw what wo wero going to do he woukl say to Ins son: "Willie, my boy, the gamo's up." IE wo closed at 8 o'clock the Kaiser would say: " Willio, my boy, wo must close at 7." And if they did that they would win the war, instead of us. Tho country which closed down most early would win tho war.*—(Laughter.) That was tho argument that .the prohibitionists were placing before members that night. It was all bambug. Ho would not, however, vote for the Bill. Tho only thing he would vote for was effective State control. The business men were supporting 6 o'ekwk because they wanted to divert attention from the cost of living question, and also desired to divert tho money from the coffers of the publican to thoir own pookete. Mr Hudson contended that if they shut tho bars at 6 p.m. they would increase dririking in the home. Mr Poole moved tho adjournment of the debate, and tho House then adjourned.

CHALMERS NO-LICENSE LEAGUE,

TROOPSHIPS AND LIQUOR. At a meeting of the Chalmers No-licenso League on Monday night at Port Chalmers, the Rev. W. M. Grant in the chair, resolutions wore passed protesting against the Government's failure to introduce measures for 6 o'clock closing, and urging the Government to adopt the full prohibition recommendations of the Efficiency Board. Mr John Tait (Mayor of the town) next moved:— "That tho Government be urged to close tho liquor bars in all ports on the days of arrival and departure of troopships." At Port Chalmers the officers and engineers had complained to him that open bars entailed many hours of delay in tho sailing of these ships, and made the men so inefficient that hours were lost on the voyage to Wellington through inadequate firing. They protested that in the ports of other colonies they were delivered from such evils, because the bars were closed so long as the troopships were alongside the wharf. >Mr J. L. Asher, in seconding, asserted that the regrettable scenes at Port Chalmers spoken of by the Mayor were trifling compared _ with the scenes of drunkenness he had himself witnessed in Wellington -when troopships were leaving.—Tho motion was adopted.