A PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1033, 11 May 1894, Page 3

A PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

+ A Prohibition Convention was held at Ohristchuach on Friday, the Rev. H. 0. M. Watson in the chair. At the morning sitting a number of addresses condemnatory of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act were made. - A vote of congratulation was passed to General Neal Dow, on his attaining the age of 90. In the afternoon a series of motions similar to those adopted by the convention at Palmerston North were carried. Mr Taylor moved — 'That Parliament, upon petition of the electors, be asked to have a general ■ ballot taken, throughout the colony on a specified date on the question, ' Are you in favour of the immediate prohibition by law of the importation, manufacture, and sale of alcholic liquors'! Yes, or No.' ' The Rev. R. Erwin said such a proceedure would be very risky at the present time. The possibilities were all against good results to the temperance cause of such a plebiscite. He moved as an amendment — ' Thai instead of a plebiscite the convention seek an amendment of the present act in the direction suggested by Sir R. Stout.' The motion was carried, only six persons voting for Mr Erwin's amendment. A motion in favour of establishing a prohibition league for the colony under the condition of allowing a certain measure of local autonomy was agreed to. The question of asking Mr G. «J. Smith (one of the members for Christchurch) or Sir Robert Stout to bring in a bill next session of Parlia ment to stop the importation, sale, and manufacture of alcoholic liquors, was referred to the Executive Committee appointed at Palmerston North. A publie meeting in connection with the Prohibition Convention was held in the evening. It was resolved — ' That this meeting, desiring • local option legislation to be made more effective and just, respectfully asks the House of Representatives to take, a poll of the people within 12 or 18 months on the question of the enactment of State prohibition.'

The Hon. W. P. Reeves addressed a larye and enthusiastic meeting at Palmersfcon North on Monday evening. After explaining the labour, bills the Government intended to introduce, Mr Reeves urged the necessity for a reform of the Standing Orders to prevent waste of valuable time and consequent delay in passing useful measures. He concluded with an eloquent appeal to the Liberal party not to allow dissensions within the party, remembering that the .Opposition W-vs not destroyed but simply imitating Uncle Ream's* Br'er Fox. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Mr Reeves, and also'a vote of confidence in hia Ministry, *^>