NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 158, 6 July 1899, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

The annual convention of the New Zealand Alliance was held at Wellington on Juno '28 and 20. The annual report stated that the pas has been the most prosperous and successful year sinc-3 the inauguration of the institution. Sir Bobt. Stout was congratulated, and both be and Lady Stout thanked for their work with the Alliance. Arrangements have been made for Agents to visit every part of the colony before the local option poll. The balance-sheet showed the income over £1410 and the credit balance £21, the first credit since 1890. The total membership is 3510. The Executive advises members to contest every licensing' election next year, and is sanguine as to the result of the no license poll.

A paper showing the benefits derived by Clutha from prohibition was read by the Rev. Mr Currie, of Balclutha. It was decided that the paper be printed, and circulated throughout the colony, to show the people how prohibition was working in the one electorate which had adopted it. A resolution was passed deciding to present a monster petition to the Minister of Education urging him to adopt temperance teaching as a pass subject. It was decided wherever possible to elect licensing committees in favour of temperance principles, also that, in selecting candidates for Parliament, regard should be paid to the good character, ability, and past conduct of candidates^ Resolutions were also passed affirming the necessity for firm and effective administration of law, and the demands _of the party for a triennial local option polling day, apart from the general election, the inclusion of all forms of license under popular vote, a majority vote to decide all issues, and a colonial option vote. Mr J. W. Jago, of Dunedin, having resigned the Presidency of the New Zealand Alliance, the Rev. W. Gillies, Timaru, was elected his successor. The New Zealand Alliance passed the following resolutions:—"That whereas 80 per cent, of the crime of the colony and 90 per cent, of its pauperism have been attributed by experts in both departments to strong drink, this Convention regrets that the Bishop of Wellirigon, in his address to the Wellington Diocesan Synod, should have minimised the evils of drunkenness in comparison with other vices, especially as it is the only vice which admits of a direct and complete remedy at the hands of Christian voters at the polls; and further suggests that it is his comparatively short experience of our social conditions which has led the Bishop to express an opinion in contradiction to experts, who, in the administration of our prisons and charities, have acquired a long and intimate acquaintance with the subject." "That the taking of a secret vote upon the sale of liquor in Bellamy's, in Parliament, is most reprehensible, because it is illegal, and permits its members to vote in a manner they are ashamed to make public, and that the Convention

requests the Government to treat temperance measures as legally and im- . partially as other matters, and to take an open daylight vote on the continuance of Bellamy's."