I move:—
"That the Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill, 1929, be read a Second Time."
As I explained last week, the Sunday to which this Bill refers is that on which will take place the great ceremony that will bring to a conclusion the celebration of the centenary of Catholic Emancipation. Not only will that be a great religious event, but it will be a great national event. The ceremonies will be of the most sacred nature, and it is felt that it would be unseemly and lamentably lacking in reverence to the occasion if, during the progress of these ceremonies, licensed premises were to be open in the city. I feel sure that the House will acquiesce in that view. The ceremonies will be very protracted. The anticipation is that they will not conclude before 3.30, and possibly later, and accordingly it is proposed that the licensed premises, which at present open from 2 o'clock, shall be obliged to remain closed until 4. At the same time, it is not desired to impose any hardship upon the licensed trade or upon any section of the community, and the Bill provides that the two hours that are proposed to be taken away between 2 and 4 shall be restored after 5; in other words, that instead of remaining open from 2 to 5 licensed premises will remain open from 4 to 7. I am glad to say that, so far as I am aware, the Bill has excited no opposition. The organisers of the celebration strongly desire it, the licensed trade have readily fallen in with the proposal, the Government, I have learned, fully acquiesce, and so far as the general public is concerned, all the evidence that has reached me shows that they are also in thorough agreement with the proposal. I hope, therefore, that the Bill will get a speedy passage, and that when the Second Stage is passed the House will facilitate its further stages by agreeing to the motion which I have put down to suspend the Standing Orders.
