SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16283, 10 July 1917, Page 2

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

AUCKLAND CITIZENS DEMAND IT.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 9. A crowded meeting at tiio Town Hall to-night by a huge majority carried the following resolution: "That this meeting of the . citizens of Auckland is of opinion that in order to ensure an early and successful issue to the war it has become a national necessity to secure the maximum of efficiency in military, commercial, industrial and social affairs, and also to reduce unnecessary expendture to a minimum and being convinced that the restrictions of the hours for the sale of intoxicating _ liquors would assist 'in these directions, urgently requeists the Government to secure at the earliest opportunity the necessary legislative authority to reduce the time during which alcohol may be sold to between eight o'elock_«..m. and six o'clock p.m..' 5 A deputation was set up to inter- • view, the Cabinet at "Wellington in furtherance of the nnitter.

PETITIONS TO THE HOUSE. ' CABINET'S RESPONSIBILITY. The .Wellington correspondent of the "Lytteltcui Times" jvntes:— 1 -for three sessions the, House has had belore it the demand for six o'clocJk ciosing of hotel bars, and to-day it is admitted that the agitation, is much mare weighty than on any previous occasion. borne card-pricking has been going on, but it must be regarded as utterly unreliable in the light of severe disappointments suffered by keen lobbyists last session. One well-known member, when, approached on behalf of six o'clock closing, remarked to tlie earnest temperance advocate who saw him, "Put me down." Ho was put down, but voted "No," and was genuinely surprised at the subsequent reproaches, because he had not intended his remark to be taken seriously. The really definite development of the situation is the responsibility which the House ha 9 thrown upon the Government of deciding what lead it should give to Parliament. Mr Craigie (Timaru) started this tactical move by Fretting the Timaru petition referred direct to the Government for consideration. To his motion, though it was perhaps cot realised clearly at the time,> was attached the phrase "and all other petitions on the 6ame subject." Til's proposal was not contested, much to the delight of most of the members of the former M to Z Committee, who last -session spent a busy, month in hearing evidence and the arguments of four prominenit counsel for and against. This commit/tee reported in 1915 that it had no recommendation to make, as tlie question was one of policy for tho Government to decide. It varied that attitude last session, referring the petition to the- Government for favourable consideration. Now we are back to the original position, and tlie feeling of the lobbies is that the Government would do well to avoid all turmoil of Select Committee wrangling byaccepting the suggestion of the House to make it a Cabinet question. Eight o'clock closing was lost by only one vote last session, and it is. sa.id that had Captain Hine -been able to get into town from oainp ; there would have been a draw, with the possibility of'Mr Malcolm, the chairman of committees,. giving his casting vote in favour of eight o'clock. The conditions have so changed this session, that there is absolutely no doubt about carrying eight o'clock, and it is said that the trade would be satisfied if -this is carried and its interests not further encroached upon by a more drastic cur-, tsiliDftnt. >