NQ=LICENSE CONVENTION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 228, 19 June 1908, Page 5

NQ=LICENSE CONVENTION.

QUESTIONS FOR PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES. PROPOSED LEGISLATION. • . Tho No-License Convention was rosumed at tlio Y.M.C.A. yesterday morning. Mr. A. S. Adams presided. Tho delegates resolved, on the motion of Mr. Rockcl, that, in order to guard tho in--1 tojests of tho No-liccnso party,, this Con- > rention requests the executive of the New Zealand Alliunco to frame a set of questions ! such as tho "Baro Majority"; the "Do--1 minion Vote"," in addition to the local option I vote; or if opposed to any retrogressive legis- ) lation ? These questions are to be sent to all I the No-liccnso committees, leagues, or other > organisations, in order that th'ey may bo i put to all candidates throughout tho Doi minion who may contest tho coming elections, I the object of such questions being to elicit an exact opinion of tho candidate's attitudes. liev..S. Lavry moved, and Mr. R. French seconded, " That|this Convention urges its comrades in all electorates to do thoir utmost to ensuro that candidates of good character and. ability, who can be trusted not to do anything to injuro our cau&e, bo induced to stand for Parliament." > BOTTLE LICENSES AND DEPOTS. Mr. J. A. D. Adams moved" That we approach Parliament at its coming se.-ision for the abolition of bottlo licenses." This was carried without discussion. It was also agreed, on the motion of Mr. G. B. Nicholls, ' 1 That * this Convention strongly urges tho Now Zealand Alliance to approach the next session of the present Parliament and ask that no facilities should be granted to persons to defeat tho will of tlie people by the use of depots, or Lho creation of now brewery licenses within or on the border of No-liconso districts. Wo urge that all'depot permits in such positions be withdrawn, and that breweries be included amongst thoso lioensos as to which it is already decided that;iio'incriase bo grained. That tho abovo bo included iii tho general Bill to bo introduced to Parliament. 1 ° PRAYER MEETINGS. After some discussion, the' Rev. Porter moved and tho Rev. Dawson seconded, "that it be suggested to the Christian churches throughout the Dominion that organised and united prayer meetings be held onco a month at which the success of the local option poll shall bo tho object of potition; and,'where possible, a short address on the relation'of the Christian church to the liquor question be given. SUGGESTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.' Rov. E. Walker, movod, and it.was agreed, "that tho convention_ urge upon tho Government not to trade in alcoholic beverages through its viticulturist, its tourist department, or otherwiso, and that its tourist hotel licenses be immediately cancelled, and subsection 3 of Section 3 of the Licensing Act of 1881 be repealed." THE ROLLS. Rev. A. Dowdnoy moved, and it was carried) "that it having boen stated that the printing of tho main electoral rolls for tho Dominion will not be completed until September the convention resolves to emphatically urge upon the Minister in charge of/ the department the absolute necessity of expediting this work, in order that opportunity may be affordod for duo purging of tho rolls, the addition of new names, and of avoiding such mistakos as occurred in connection witb tyho roll used at tho recent by-election at Tuapeka. Also that tho New Zealand Allianco Exccutivo appoint a deputation to wait upon tho Minister in support of the abovo." Mr. J. A. D. Adams moved: "That tho Governmont bo requested to so alter tho electoral law that no additions shall be mado to tho rolls less than two months before tho general election." : Oil tho motion of Rev. S. Lawry, tho time was amended to "three weeks beforo tho issue of tho writs," and the motion, as amonded, was - carried. The congratulations _of tho Convention through tho Now Zealand Alliance wero/recommondcd to bo forwarded to tho TJn/ted Kingdom Allianco upon tho great- progress boing mado in tho tenipcranco cause m Great Britain; also to th'o president of tho AntiSaloon Leaguo in the United States of America. ■: The next convention will be held at Christchurch. 1 1 l

It would bo difficult to say what effect, if any at all, the kissing of tho Testament has on tho witness whoso' veracity it is sopposed to stimulate. Although we havo often made statements upon oath without committing perjury or refusing to "kiss the book," a stage saluto has always proved sufficient. —"Academy." v