EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS.

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 240, 18 June 1915, Page 14

EARLY CLOSING OF HOTELS.

The war has brought about many changes, not only in lives, but also in ideas. Ten months ago ardent temperance workers in New Zealand were working, not for the mending, but for the ending of the liquor traffic in the Dominion. 1 lie regulation of that traffic did not appeal to them any inoio than the regulation of a wild tiger’s appetite. Perhaps many of these to-day will not hear with any degree of patience aught that may be slid concerning the disablement of the liquid foe. Their cry is, “death or nothing ! ”

Hence it is well to consider the question whether altered circumstances have not produced altered cases. We are now engaged in a death grapple “ 'twixt old systems and the Word” —in other words, between Militarism and Freedom. There is no doubt as to what the ultimate issue will be, for Britons will never bow beneath the Prussian yoke. But, as we are being constantly reminded, before that consummation so devoutly looked for, viz., the triumph of Freedom’s Cause, is an accomplished fact, all must do “their little bit,’* and many a bit more than that. Much water will have run out to the sea, and, alas, a river of tears and blood flowed, before victory is proclaimed. So then all must he lp, and none must hinder the coming of “that day” towards which our eyes are so eagerly strained. The “road-hog of Kurope” must be driven out of the way of Freedom's Chariot. Whatever delays the progress of that chariot should be accounted “anathema” by every Britisher. W hat shall lie said then of one of the greatest hindrances of to-day? Let Mr Lloyd George reply:— “But, you must remember, a small minority of workmen can throw a whole works out of gear. What is the reason? Sometimes it is one thing, sometimes it is another; but let us be perfec*!y candid. It is mostly the lure of the drink. They refuse to work full time, and when they return their strength and efficiency are impaired by the way in which they have spent their leisure. Drink is doing more damage in the war than all the German submarines put together.”

Men have lloc ked to the colours as never before, both in the Home lands and in the greater Britain of the Seas. There has been no la k of brave hearted men, but the cry has been munitions! and yet again, munitions! And why this cry. Because of insobriety amongst a percentage of the skilled workers. Now, drinking by these munition makers means the selling of liquor to them by the trade. Did the trade realise the icsult of this selling and getting gain? The lesson was, at all events, set plainly before it. Vodka was a hindrance in Russia, and in consequence was banned by the Czar; absinthe in France, and it was outlawed. Lord Kitchener had appealed for abstinence during the course of the war! So the trade must have known how the continued sale of liquor would affect the situation. Vet with its wonted callous disregard of all interests save its own, it defied precedent, principle, and petition, and went on selling its output regardless of the fact that increased liquor output meant a decreased output of sorelyneeded munitions.

Then the big stic kof Total Prohibition was brandished at the head of the traffic, and later on the smaller stick of early closing was brought down on its knuckles. Nor is it in Britain only that this leaser punishment has been administered. In South Australia, for instance, early closing has been decided on by a large majorityvote of the people. By this means, in the Old Land and in the New, has reform been attempted. Instead of killing the liquor bird of prey outright, it> wings have been clipped. Without surrendering for a moment hope of the final extinction of the trade, we may stop to ask whether any good is likely to come out of the maiming process. Let experience speak. “Liquor consumption will be reduced. This is supported by the fact that the incoming of 6 p.m. in South Australia caused brewery shares to drop.” “During the strike of 1911, owing to the riots, the Liverpool Justices ordered the closing of all bars at 2 p.m. each day. This order was enforced from the 18th to the 27th of August. On the first Monday under early closing the number of cases of all kinds at the Liverpool Police Courts was 41, as compared with ISO on the corresponding Monday of the irevTus month, when the liquor shops

were in full bla>t. On the second early closing Monday the Police Court cases numbered 27, as against 180. When the strike was declared off, the full hours of trading were resumed, and on the first Monday the Police Court week-end cases rose to 254.”

Dr. Wynn Westcott, Coroner for the North-East of London, said in his report for 1914: —“The police regulations for the shutting of public-houses earlier at night, which came into force about the ist of November, had produced a wonderful effect. The regulation was necessary because of the scenes of increased drunkenness in the streets and at railway stations after the outbreak of the war. Its effect primarily was to reduce the amount of drunkenness. The inquests in his district on victims of drink, which had risen from four per month before the war to fourteen in October, fell to four in November, and two in December.”

In Winnipeg, Canada, the arresis for drunkenness, under earlier closing, decreased from 308 in January , 1914, to 175 in January, 1915. “Fairplay” (.1 Sydney barrel organ, as the “Rechabite” calls it) says: “To enact that the liquor bar be c losed at six o’c lock, a; advocated, would, in most cases, mean the closing of the hotel altogether.” Convincing testimony from other places could also be given to the fact that shorter hours mean decreased consumption of liquor. Such being the case, what can we do in this matter? We understand that the N.Z. Alliance intends to petition Parliament asking that the hotels (so far as the bars are concerned) be brought under the* Shops and Offices Law, and thus compelled to close early in the evening and on half-holidays. Probably petitions for signature* will be issued. If so, then, as our American friends say, “Get busy!”