TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9114, 27 May 1895, Page 6

TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM }

PALMERSTON NORTH, May 25

The Temperance Convention opened yesterday . when the following resolutions were carried:—"That this Convention desires bo call bhe attention of the Government to the disgraceful laxity in the administration of the liquor laws throughout the colony, demands tbe immediate removal of the J.P.s who instigated their violation in the Clutha district, and urges generally thab the necessary acUriinistracive and legislative steps be taken to compel magistrates .and police to make the enforcement of such laws something than, a farce ; that this meeting, recognising the, large and growing share in the evils of the liquor traffic for which drinking clubs are responsible, demands that these clubs be placed on the same footing with regard to Sunday observance, limitation of hours, police supervision, and popular control as ptibli. houses.*' It was resolved to request the Government Railway Department to consider the desirability in future engagements of managers and officials generally to prefer men of total abstinence principles, other things being equal. A public meeting attended by twelve hundred people was held last night iv connection with tbe Temperance Convention. The Mayor presided, and addresses were delivered by Dr. Newman and Mr H. D. Bell, M.H.R.3., Miss Kirk, President of the W.C.T. Union, and Mr E. A. Haggen, of Woodville. The proceedings were most enthusiastic. Iv the course of Mr Bell's speech he advocated most drastic legislation for bhe regulation of the liquor traffic, including local ; prohibition by a bare majority and colonial prohibition by a majority of the districts, the American system of responsibility of hotelkeepers to persons injured through drunkenness or to relatives, and for the support of those impoverished by the drunkenness of relatives. At the conclu ion of the meeting a special vote of tbanks was passed amidst cheers to Mr Fred Pirani for the manner in wh'ch he had carried out his platform pledges in Parliament.

The Temperance Convention, which commenced yesterday, is being continued today.