HOTEL HOURS

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 23

HOTEL HOURS

SYDNEY, October 21. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Hall gave notice of intention to introduce a Bill restricting hotel hours to from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Previously the hours were from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Bill also provides that instead of customers being allowed to purchase liquor for six hours on Good Friday and Christmas Day to consume off the premises the time limit shall be four hours on these days, and for consumption on the premises. There is much press and public criticism on the Government ignoring the Assembly’s vote in favour of nine o’clock closing, and the futility of shortening night drinking time by one hour only, October 23. Replying to the Wine Association deputation’s representations against the application of the proposed' early closing to the sale of wine, on the ground that it would be detrimental to an important local industry, Mr Holman promised sympathetic consideration. He said he was convinced the time must come for dealing with wine as distinct from beer and spirits. He pointed out that the Government’s early closing legislation was strictly of an emergency or temporary nature.