27 March 1915    Early closing of hotel bars

A state election was held on 27 March 1915 which Labor won comfortably with both the Liberal Premier and Attorney-General losing their seats.

Of major interest also was the referendum, which was held at the same time, to determine the closing hours of liquor bars. This was done partly in response to restrictions placed on the sale of liquor in Britain, France and Russia as an austerity measure during the war. In this instance the concerted efforts of some churchmen and the temperance groups won the day, and the 6 p.m. closing time won the majority of votes.

On the night the legislation came into effect, in March 1916, the president of the Licensed Victuallers Association led a rowdy throng from the Imperial Hotel to the Adelaide Club, which was not affected by the early closing law, where the crowd threatened to besiege the doors. It would be more than 50 years before the legislation on the closing time was changed and liquor bars could again remain open until 10 p.m.

The Advertiser,  29, 30 March 1915.
The Register, 28 March 1916.