YOUNG MEN'S NO-LICENSE CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 87, 11 April 1906, Page 6

YOUNG MEN'S NO-LICENSE CLUBS.

A meeting, of which the- Bey. ,N; A. Davis, organiser of the New Zealand Alliance, was: held in the Foresters' Hall last evening for the formation of a "Civic Vigilance Union of Young Men's No-License Clubs." Two nolicense clubs are at the Thames, and the other at Wahganui have been formed, and are- now in operation. The proposal for consideration by the meeting, as set forth by circular, was to organise a civic vigilance union of young men, united to use their influence to secure good citizenship, the enforcement of statute law, and the filling of positions in the State with clean honest men. It. was also intended to establish Parlia^ mentary debating conventions, and in other ways to offer mutual help in a free unsectarian and interesting way. Over 50 young men attended the meeting, and Mr S. Barry presided. In opening the meeting, Mr Barry said the occasion was a somewhat unique one, as probably no body of young men had ever gathered together in the colony ■with, so large and important an object. The organisation was to be unsectarian and non-political so far as party politics were concerned. He believed that they could establish a movement which would make its influence felt throughout the colony more and more as time went 6U. The Rev. N. A. Davis said that he was not disappointed at seeing so small a gathering, as compared with the large crowd expected, for fully 400 young men besides those present had intimated their willingness to join no-license clubs. He dwelt on the duties of citizenship devolving on the young men of New Zealand, and defined the objects of the proposed union. He pointed out that the average character of the House of Representatives reflected the' average character of the community,• and therefore the young men should set about the promotion of good citizenship. He believed that at the next poll they would have a heavier no-license vote than ever before. It was a very great pity that men were elected to Parliament who had not much education, and the union could do much by such institutions as Parliamentary conventions. He read the constitution, and suggested that eveiy member should be required to sigh a pledge accepting the terms of the constitution as a basis of membership of the Civic Vigilance Union and pledging him to do all in his power to effect the legal destruction of the liquor traffic, the proper administration of the Licensing Acts, and the securing of the necessary majority to secure nolicense at the local option polls. Mr Davis then moved, "That this meeting approves of the organisation of an Auckland Young Men's No-lacense Club, and adopts the rough draft of the. constitution, subject to revision at the first regular meeting." This meeting would, he said, he held as soon as practicable. It was probable, if opportunity offered, that suburban clubs would be formed, but the present object was to form a strong central club. The motion was unanimously adopted, and it was also decided to appoint a committee to revise the draft of the constitution, nominate officers for election at a futur§ meeting, arrange for the meeting at an early date, and for a Parliamentary debate at that meeting, the committee consisting of the following, I With power to add to their number: — Mr S. Barry, Rev. N. A. Davis, Messrs ;C. Waterhouse. J. H. Guns on, L. E. Falkner, R. Baulf, C. French, A. Skeates, W. H. M. Robinson, A. Blakey, T. Miller, Wi Mitchell, E. Aldfidge, A. C. Creamer, R. W. Coslett, Moses, E. Roberts, Hari ris, H. M. Smeeton. J. L. Scott, J. MitI eheli; C. D. McLean, W. Spragg, Holloi way, Frehshaw, C. H. Poole, M.H.R., ' and R. Muir. It was agreed that those I signing the pledge should be recognised ]as members with full right involved, pending the meeting for revision of the constitution. Thirty gave in their names as club members.