LICENSING LAW.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1027, 17 January 1911, Page 6

LICENSING LAW.

ALLIANCE AND THE CHURCHES. ! A NOTABLE YEAR, A deputation representing temperance bodies waited upon tho Primitive Methodist Conferenco at its forenoon session yesterday. Members of tho deputation wcro tho Rev. A. Dewdney, chairman of the Now Zealand Alliance, and the Rev. W. J. Comrie, chairman of the Wellington NcLicenso League. Mr. Dewdney expressed high appreciation of the splendid services rendered to the cause of temperance in tho past by the Primitive Methodist Church. The Alliance was very grateful to the conferenco for the splendid secretary found for it in the person of the Rev. ,1. Dawson — (applause)—who had done great work during a troubled time. This year would witness a general election, at which it would 'lie! within the power of tho voters to abolish tho whole liquor traffic, root and branch. There might be a danger of some people, more enamoured of Dominion prohibition than of local No-License, thinking they had dono everything necessary by voting for tho former. The reverse position was equally possible. The speaker wanted tho conferenco members, as leaders in the movement, to urge their people to use every bit of power granted them. A Hopeful Forecast. If this were, done not only would there bo no diminution in tho No-Licenso vote, but there would be a thumping voto for Dominion prohibition as well. (Applause.) As far as the Alliance had boon able to ascertain—and canvassers had been busy in many directions —thero was everywhere a strong disposition to retain, local NoLicense, with a growing intention to vots for Dominion Prohibition also. The speaker believed they had an opportunity now such as they bad novbr had before. The Alliance had passed a resolution suggesting a general exchange of ministers for a few weeks prior to the taking of a poll, with tho object of getting up , as much interest in tho rating as possible. Concluding, Mr.'Dewdney-said he hoped many of those present would live to see the . liquor trade of the Dominion absolutely done away with. Double-Barrelled Sport. The Rov. W. J. Comrie said they now had a double-barrelled gun instead Df the single-barrelled . weapon hitherto . in, use. There were sportsmen who took pride in their reliance on the singlebarrel, but tho speaker hoped tho New Zealand peopio would be animated by no such spirit in dealing with ' the temperance issue. Every effort should be made, said Mr. Comrie, to secure some reduction in the iniquitous three-fifths majority. Tlicy should have, instead, the bare, majority, if possible, but a big reduction in any case. The Original Champions. The Rov.-J. Cocker (Auckland), at tho request of the" president, , conveyed tho reply-of the conferenco to the deputation. Mr. Cocker assured the visitors that they . wero amongst friends,' and not amongst foes. Ono of tho. greatest wonders of the world would be to find a Primitive Methodist minister who was not a champion of temperance. If ,advocates of temperance should bo anywhere at home it was here ip.a. meeting representing the Churoh- that formed tho English Alliance. Tho deputation had como to a Church that was true upon these matters. In this particular it con ; tained no sinners. They- were a gathering of saints. The Primitive Methodists wero glad that all the- Churches were coming into lino with theni on- this question. They (the -Priniitivo Methodists) had always been ■in line.- . ■ . Mr. Bellringer (New Plymouth) also assured the deputation of tho entire sympathy with which its expressed views were regarded by tho conference. In the course of his-remarks Mr.- Bellringer emphasised the great responsibility resting o;i those who .were privileged -to voto on the Dominion issue.