NO-LICENCE COUNCIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 208, 15 June 1946, Page 3

NO-LICENCE COUNCIL

ANNUAL MEETING j Reports presented to the annual meeting of the Ashburton No-Licence Council, held in the S.alvation Army Hall on Thursday night showed that practical steps were being taken to build up the No-Licence cause in Ashburton. During the year time had been given to studying various aspects of the whole question, and the council was unanimous in its. policy of resisting | the return of licence to the district. Mr W. J. Brown reported that they had been in touch with representative people in the various centres throughout the electorate, and these, would act as agents of the council in any campaign that might be - undertaken. The assistance of ministers who had promised to help would be of great value in this respect. The Rev. J. S. Murray, reporting for the Literature Committee, said that two types of literature were being prepared, one for use in the event of a local referendum, and the other if people were called upon to vote on the national issue again. Samples of the work already prepared were read to the meeting and were unanimously approved. Mr Murray said that it was not proposed to print anything until the issue on which people would have to vote had been made clear, but plans were being completed in good time so that as soon as the position was clarified, immediate action could be taken. It would be necessary to approach interested friends for financial help m the literature campaign, and that made it imperative for the literature to be prepared and submitted to them for consideration. Minimum Subscription f The council decided to give the maximum of financial support to the New Zealand Alliance, which was cairying a heavy burden of responsibility for the temperance forces throughout New Zealand, and agreed to ask its members for a minimum subsciiption of 10s a year. This would provide them with a free copy of the “Vanguard,” and make some contnbution to the headquarters organisation. The secretary, Mr J. Pratley, reported that Mr Gapper, organising secretary for the South Island would be available to attend the next meeting. It was agreed to invite Mr Gappei t come, and that plans to extend the council’s membership should then be completed. Officers for the ensuing; year weie elected as follows: President, the Rev. J. S. Murray; vice-presdent. Mr L. B. F Hight; secretary, Mr J. Pratley; members of executive council, Mrs li. Millar and Mr W. J. Brown The appointment of a treasurer was held over until the next meeting.