Temperance Congress.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 74, 24 September 1885, Page 2

Temperance Congress.

Tho Congress resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. In addition to those present yesterday, the following wore also in attendance : — Rev. J. A. Luxford (Kaiapoi), Mr. Ross ilnveroargill), Mr. Eyre (Wellington), Eov. F. A. Torranoe (South Dunedin), Rev. J. Ryley (Port Chalmers), Mr. A. J. Bennott (Wellington), Mrs, Haul (Kaikonra), Mrs. Bennett (Wellington), Mr. Piokard (Nelson), Mr. H. Flookton (Wellington). Tho minnte3 of tho previous meoting having beon read and confirmed, the Rev. L. M. Isitt brought up a series of resolutions drawn up by the coramittoe appointed yesterday. Tho resolutions were considered seriatin. The first was as follows:— That this Conference of temporanco-workors, while recognising with satisfaction tho vigorous prosecution of temperance work throughout the colony, is of opinion that muoh power is wasted through the want of a recognised head, and therefore, dooms it desirable that each and all existing temporanoe sooieti's should be roprosentod by one oentral body, to be called tho New Zealand Alliance, and suggest tho following basis :— (1) That it is neither right nor politic for the State to afford legal protection and sanction to any traffic or system that tends to increase crime, to waste the national resources, to corrupt the social habits, and to destroy the health and lives of the people. (2) That tho traffic in intoxicating liquors, as common beveragos, is inimical to the true interests of individuals and destructive to the order and welfare of society, and ought, therefore, to be prohibited. (3) That the history and rosults of a'l past legislation in regard to the liquor ' traffic in the colony abundantly prove that it ib impossible, satisfactorily, to limit or regulate a system to essentially misohievcus in its tendencies. (4) That no considerations of private gain or public revenue can justify tho upholding of a system so utterly wronir in priaoiplo, suicidal in policy, and disastrous in results, as the traffio in intoxicating liquors. (5) That the legislative prohibition of the liquor traffio is perfectly compatible with rational liberty and with all the claims of justice and legitimate commerco and would be highly conducive to tho development of a progressive civilisation. (6) That, rising above olaas, seotarian, or party consideration all good oitizens should combine to promote a dear understanding of tho looal option olauses.and to oxercise ful y the powers they confer. Replying to a question by Mr. Wm. Price, the Chairman said that the proposed Alliance, if established, would bo a politioal organisation in the same eenso as the United Kingdom Alliance was a politioal body. Mr. Cameron (Dunodin) said that he did not think the CongroßS oould do wrong by forming an Allianoo on the same baeis as the United Kingdom Alliance, whioh was the largest temperance organisation in the world. He thought the time had arrived when there should be a centre for all the temperance bodies in the colony. He suggested that the proposed Alliance should be called "The New Zealand Temperanoe Allianoo " instead of " The New Zealand Alliance " Mr. Edwards (Wellington) suggested that the question of a title should bo postponed. Mr. Cameron moved an amendment. Mrs. Collis (Taranaki) sceondiDg, that the title be "The New Zealand Temperanoe AUianco." After aome discussion, the amondment was withdrawn, and the proposition of Mr. loitt was amended by striking out the words " New Zealand Alliance" and substituting, on the motion of Mr. F. Fulton (Dunedin), tho following :—" New Zjaland Alliance for the Promotion of Temperance and the Suppression of the Liquor Traffic." The first resolution, as amended, was then passed. Mr. Isitt also moved the second resolution, aB follows : —That tho said Alliance cor.si-jt. of all persons favourable to the above object who shall give in their names and pay an annual subscription of not less than 5s per annum, and all members of affiliated societies. That any society may affiliate by paying the sum of per member per annum. A lengthy diacuesion took place on the proposition, and eventually the motion was altered co as to read, " That any tooiety may affiliate by paying the sum of 20a per annum, an additional 20s for each extra delegate tent to the annual meeting." At this stage a telegram was read from Mr. Band, of Nelson, expressing sympathy with the objeot of the Congress. The third resolution was proposed as follows by Mr. Isitt:— "That an annual meeting of delegates be held, oaoh affiliated society being entitled to elect one delegate for each guinea contribute! to the funds of the Alliance, provided that in no case shall there be more than ono delegate for each 25 members or fractional part thereof, and that the meeting elect a president and governing board. The resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr. Isitt, it was resolved —That tho foregoing resolutions be forwarded to every known temperance organisation in No it Zetland, and that they be requested to elect delegates to meet at Wellington on or about the 25th January next to formally inaugurate the said Alliance. Mr. Cameron moved, and it was agreed to, " That a preliminary executive consisting of the Eev. L. M. Isitt and Messrs J. C. I Edwards, J. Collins, 'and F. H. Fraser be appointed to make all the necessary arrangements for the meeting in January." Thp Chairman (Mr. Harding) announced that it was his intention to defray the whole expenses in connection with toe present congress. Mr. Fulton moved that a vote of thanks be passed to tho press of Wellington for their reports of yesterday's oongrass and demonstration. In supporting tho motion, the Chairman said he rather took exception to a statement in the E^enin^ Pest last nir;ht, that the majority of those wHo took par| in |he procession wore women and oMl&ren. ¦ Mr. J. C. Edwards remarked thtt he should like to see the place in New Zealand where women and ohildren did not predominate. The motion was carried with acclamation. Mr. Cameron moved, and it was carried, That this conference de c ire3 to express its gratification at the prospect of an eztended visit from Mr. T. W Glover to the-oo!ony, and earn6stly hopes tha_t r tae arrangement now under consideration may bo brought to a succeßS r u! ie'fcuc by tha AucklondtADiancn. A cordial voto of thinks was pa«sed to the Chairman, on j-he motion of Mr. Ipitt, and the Ctrogresß then terminated.

Why she conldn't use her Opera Glass.— Husband : " Did you bring your opera-glass with you?" Wife: "Yes; but I can't use it." Husband i "Why not?" Wife: "Oh. I left my diamond ringp at home ! "