THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 47

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

EARLY CLOSING QUESTION. DISCUSSION BY ANGLICAN SYNOD. At the meeting of the Anglican Synod on tiie 22nd the Vcn. Archdeacon Russell moved: ''That tins Synod heartily endorses the unanimous resolution of tiie General Synod—'That in the interests of religion and public morals, this Synod is of the opinion that- during the continuance of the present war all licensed bars in hotels, and clubs should be closed ironi o p.m. to 6 a.m., unci mat the custom, of "snouting" or "treating should be made illegal.' 'that the loregoing resolution be sent to the Prime -Minister.'—'J he mover said that the Church had been .accused of being weak in taking action sometimes, but she had not been weak in this ease. Mr T. S. Graham seconded the motion. .! lie Rev. E. fttreete said he did not intend to vote for 6 o'clock, but he had no objection to voung for 9 o'clock. lie tin! not think that they had any right to take away a man s glass oi beer in ins private house or at the open bar. The Rev. 11. S. Bishop stated that lie knew ot hotels that were pouring out hordes of drunken men from 7 till 10 o'clock, 'these men could get all -they wanted before b o'clock, because they knock, d oii' at 5. Instead of taking home their salaries they left them at the bar of the hotel. The Rev. 11. B. Goertz said that anyone who spoke in opposition to the motion was fairly courageous, and in the course of his subsequent remarks indicated that he was in opposition to it. Mr R. L>. Williams saiel ho would support the "shouting" part of the motion, but not the closing at 6 o'clock. He directed attention to the fact that the publicans had rights as well aus anyone else. the Rev. A. Wingheld, speaking of the recent demonstration at Gore and to a suggestion thrown out that it was duo to drink, said that tiie Inspector of Police at lnvercargili had come up, and the whole matter had been gone into, and it had been proved conclusively that there was nothing m trie charge levelled against the individuals. What had appeared in the press was what was brought in by at the la ;t moment and rushed into print. He supported the motion. Air J. Crawford Anderson remarked that if what was urged was brought about the people would make a rush for the public houses before closing time and get in a supply. It was no use entertaining the matter, because the Government would not listen to the proposal for one moment. The Rev. 11. Parata fiaid that his experience was that where there were as many open bars as shops there was less drunkenness. If they closed the bars at 6 o'clock there were worse places wdiere soldiers would get drink.

The Rev. A. D. Mitchell expressed the opinion that 6 o'clock was a reasonable Lour for closing hotels. The chief drinking in the country took place after 6 o'clock Before that everything went on in an orderly way.

Mr Williams suggested that the motion might be divided into two portions—one as to the hour of closing and the other as to "shouting.'' This was agreed to, and Arch-deacon Russell having replied, the first portion of the ruction was put and declared carried on the voices; the voting sounding somewhat even. A division was called for. and a suggestion made that the words "in the interests, of religion and public moral.;" be deleted. The suggestion was agreed to., and the first portion as amended was put and carried with slight dissent. The second part of the motion relating to "shouting" and "treating" was then put and carried unanimously; also th" concluding line ns to a copy of the resolution being forwarded to the Prime Mini: tor. MEETING OF NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE. WELLINGTON, June 20. A special meeting of the New Zealand Alliance Executive was held this afternoon, when tiie following resolution was unanimously adopted:—"That, in view of the argent need for economy ami efficiency in order to win the great war in which our nation is engaged —a need which has been stressed by the Prime Minister of Great Britain, and by our own Prime Minister, as well as by the military authorities and business men,—this executive learns with satisfaction that in the War Regulations Bill the Government proposes to deal effectively with the practice of shouting or treating. It deeply regrets, however, that, despite the presentation of petitions to Parliament containing 100,000 signatures in favour of the early closing of hotel bars, there is no 2'rcvision in the Pill dealing with this subject. It views with alarm the decision of the committee to which the petitions were referred to adjourn for nearly a fortnight consideration of one of the bice; urgent matters now before Parliament, and calls upon ail those who do not desire to see the question shelved to take prompt action with a v:ew to inducing Parliament to pass the necessary legislation forthwith." MEETING IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Juno 22. A large- public meeting in the Town Hail to-night? at which the Mayor presided. pissed resolutions demanding that hotel bars should be brought under tho Shops ami Offices Act. expressing indignation that th ' Government had not made provision for 6 o'clock closing, and asking for a referendum on*the subject if Parliament is not prepared to introduce the necessary legislation without it. DEPUTATION TO Mil MASSEY. WELLINGTON, June 26. A deputation of professional anil business men in Wellington waited oil the Prime Minister to-day to protest against the proposal to bring in 6 o'clock closing for hotels, on the ground that it was not necessitated by the conduct of the soldiers and the public, and that th" economic necessity for stu-h a proposal had not been demonstrated in tho slightest degree. _ .Mr Mas.-.i-y replied that tho matter was being carefully investigated by the Petitions Committee of the House, and it had not yet reported. When the committee reported to Parliament the report would lie referred to Cabinet, lie would have very nmeli pleasure in conveying the representations made, and they would be given due thought and consideration.

i NEW SOUTH WALES HOTELS. SYDNEY. June 23. Representatives of the Licensed Victual* lers' Association brought under the notico of the Attorney-general (Mr Hall) that they anticipated heavy losses as the result of six o'clock closing, and asked for a, reduction of the liceu.se fees and for a right to roll between six o'clock and 11 o'clock ail the commodities, except intoxicants, which it is usual to sell in hotels, also to lie allowed to keep the billiard rooms open. They asked, further, for the placing of clubs and grocers on the same footing with hotels, and also for a reduction in the strength of brandy and whisky to 35 per cent, under proof. Mr Hall replied that if trade decreased the licensing fees would be reduced. Ha was prepared to go as far as the association liked in the reduction in the strength of liquor. The Government would provide legislation to cover the other requests if required. June 24. Owing to delays over the absentee vote in the late referendum, it is now stated that 6 o'clock closing is unlikely to corns into operation before the end of June f instead of from Monday. June 26. The liquor trade is agitating for the suspension of the Local Option poll at the next elections, considering that it is already hit hard enough by -the early closing referendum without running the risk of a further blow.