AUCKLAND PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 131, 4 June 1901, Page 2

AUCKLAND PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

The ~nd Provincial Prohibition Convention assembled this morning at 10 15 a th. in the Central Mission Hall, Albert-street. The Rev. J. T Pinfold being unable to be present, Mr W. Spedding was voted to the chair. Rev. F. W. Isitt gave an address on "Provincial Organisation," pointing out the need of a more perfect and thorough organisation of the temperance forces in°the various provinces in the colony, so that in all important matters every part of the colony might act simultaneously. In some districts the organisation was well nigh perfect; in others it was not so well organised, and some were not organised at all. Various members took part in the discussion on this subject. Mr T. J. Btdl gave an address on "Plans for Future Work." He limited his views to the city. He expressed sympathy with what Mr Isitt had said, and pointed out that the great lesson of the last local option poll in Auckland was the need of better organisation. He urged the employment of an organising agent, the publication of a local paper in the interests of the temperance ahd prohibition cause; also that special attention be given to securing an honest electoral roll. The suggestions of Mr Bull were very favourably received by the Convention, 'several speakers taking part in the discussion. A paper by Rev. A. Doull, of Canterbury, was read by Rev. W. Beckett. This dealt with the last Licensing Bill. The paper was a luminous exposition of many of the provisions of that Bill, pointing out especially what the writer believed to be its special dangers, with reference to temperance reform. Rev. F. W. Isitt pointed out that the paper was exceedingly valuable to prohibition workers, as it. provided them in compact form with necessary facts concerning the Bill. The paper is to appear in full in the Good Templar "Watchword" and the "Prohibitionist," and will thus be accessible to all" the -workers. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Donll tor his vaktable paper.

\ letter of apology for inability to attend was read from Mr M. Paul, dele■mte of the Thames Prohibition League. Also a letter from the Thames League, urging that Conventions should endeavour to avoid sending forth to the world as the platform of the party in the colony matters that were only agreed to in "one or but a few local centres. Mr E. H. Taylor, of Thames, and also Rev. F.'w. Isitt, pointed out that this was a matter that could not well be helped, as the press sometimes published the decisions of a single League or Convention as if it were the decision of the whole party.