1.0. G.T. Conference.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 18

1.0. G.T. Conference.

A conference of members of the [.O.G.T. lodges in the Dunedin district was held in the Pioneer No. 2 lodgeroom on the loth to take into consideration the best means for reviving an interest in the order, and to organise such political action as comes within its province as a temperance bod3 r , Mr W. Carr, Dis-trict-deputy, presiding. Mr J. A. D. Adams, Worthy Grand Templar for Australasia, was called upon to move the first resolution.

Mr Adams said it struck him that it would be well if members of tho order were brought face lo face with the nature of the work before them. He held that however good the Blue Ribbon movement might be it w;t.s weak iv some essential points. He did not deprecate in the least. the noblemen who had made such great efforts in the cause of Blue Eibbonisra ; bnt from his experience, although there was some amount of enthusiasm, the order as a body was simply like a rope of sand. What was wanted in the cause was an organised body which would go forward as a united force to accomplish .the work of temperance agitation. In his opinion there was no body in the Colonj' so well fitted to carry out the work as the Good Templars. The agitation, which was commenced 12 years ago, and had gone on in a greater or lesser degree since then, was organised by the Good Templar Lodges. For such a work it was well organised, and it only wanted reviving to be in a position to do the same again. What was required was a union which could be controlled from a common centre. To have this there must be fresh interest in the Order, and that would have to be created by causing all the members to feel common interests. In order to create this he would move, "That it is desirable that the lodges of this district should combine to promote a series of public meetings for the dissemination of J.O.G.T. principles, and that a committee be appointed under the p.D. to secure such a movement.." One of the principles of the order was the adoption of a lifelong pledge of total abstinence ; another was to raise the fallen and save others from falling. That meant that they should so imbue them with temperance truth that they may also become abstainers. Now, what members wanted was not so much to profess principles as to know them and live them. Another principle was that they should strive to have good laws on the liquor question, and that meant that they were resolved to send men to Parliament to enact such laws, and again to see that true mon were appointed to administer those lnws. He also suggested that public challenges should be thrown out to the licensed victuallers to diwuvs cerfcjin questions of political and social importance $ such, for instance, as — Should n prohibition party be organised ? Is the licencing system inequitable iv its nature aud results? Are alcqholic beverages # proper s'onr'oe of state revenue ? Does tire Faifety of

travelling demand the exclusion of the sale of intoxicating liquors from railway stations, steamers, &c. ?

The resolution was seconded by Mr G. Lindsay, W.C.T. of the Star of Freedom Lodge, Kaikorai, and carried with applause.

Mr A. C. Buoad moved—" That the interest* of the 1.0. G.T. would be greatly promoted by a more active participation in political work, and thai it be a suggestion to the D.D. to organise a political committee to watch events and direct united action." He said such a resolution should have the sympathy of every temperance man. He had never seen sucli work taken up, and that, he thought, was the fault of the order. He trusted that this would be changed, aud that the order might now put on its harness in a right earnest manner.

Mr Sievknsox, L.D. Pride of Dunedin, seconded the resolution. He pointed out that the carrying-out of these resolutions involved the- expenditure of much money, and failed for liberality and consistency.

The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr R. N. Adams, W.C.T., Pioneer Lodge No. 2, moved — " That, since the 1.0. G.T. possesses in an eminent degreo that machinry necessary in promoting all kinds of temperance work which is lacking in other societies existing in the Colony, it can most efficiently be made use of for organising political temperance agitation, and is therefore worthy of the support and confidence of all advocates of tho temperance cause."

Mr Dyson-, P.W.C.T., Guiding Star, seconded the resolution, which was also carried unanimously.

The meeting was then adjourned till Wednesday, 30th inst., for the consideration of a resoution as to how the activity and efficiency of the order may be best revived ; meeting to be held in the Pride of Dunedin lodgeroom. ,