Story: Referendums

'Vote 6 o'clock closing!'

'Vote 6 o'clock closing!'

This poster supporting retention of the 6 o'clock closing time for pubs was produced for the referendum of 9 March 1949. It uses similar imagery to that used in the prohibition campaigns. It suggests that less time in the pub leads to a happier family life, with men saving money and spending more time with their families. The voters in 1949 appear to have been happy with 6 o'clock closing, which received a three-quarters of the votes in the referendum.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: Eph-C-ALCOHOL-Hours-1948-03

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nigel Roberts, 'Referendums - Consultative referendums before 1970', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/ephemera/36952/vote-6-oclock-closing (accessed 4 May 2024)

Story by Nigel Roberts, published 20 Jun 2012, reviewed & revised 30 Aug 2016, updated 1 Dec 2020