TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 4, 4 July 1895, Page 4

TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.

YXBTBBDAY AfTEBNOON's SESSION. Tbe Congress Bat in Committee yesterday afternoon. The Rev. E. Walker introduced the subject of " Essentials of new Legislation " i:i a short paper in which he urged that no further provision 6honld be mado for any inoreaee of the liquor traffic, but rather for its suppression. It was resolved " That this Convention endorses the Bill now before Parliament introduced by Mr. M'Nab." A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. A. S. Adams for drafting the Bill. It was resolved to send deputations to the Premier in regard to licensing legislation, &o. Mr. E. A. Haggen read a paper on " Parliamentary Work," and the Bey.- T. J. Wallia a paper on "The Organisation of the Party." " Three oheers were given by the assembly for the editor and manager of the Prohibitionist. Hori Ropiha spoke to the Convention in regard to the liquor traffic among his people. Air. A. S. Adams proposed, and it was unanimously resolved, '"ihat this Convention of delegates from all parts of the colony of New Zealand protests against the proposal to legalise tl.e scheme for disposing of the estates of the Bank of Now Zealand Estates Company by lottery as immoral and dishonest, and calls upon Parliament to save the colony from tbe disgrace of such a soheme." It was resolved to admit the press to all future sessions. Evening Session. Mr. A. S. Adams was voted to the chair at the evening sitting. A deputation from the Independent Order of Good Templars waited on the Convention and presented an address extending a hearty weloome to the delegates to the Convention, and expressing the hope that it would help in bringing about Prohibition. It was hoped that the enthusiasm aroused by the Convention would encourage the delegates to put new life into their labours on returning to their respective districts. Ihe Rev. Mr. Munro (Rangiora), in returning thanks on behalf of the Convention, reoiprocated the sentiments expressed. Though all present were not Good Templars, they were all united in the aim of destroying their common enemy, drink. The Rev. Mr.Dewdnoy(Oamarn)proposed — " That the deputation to waiton the Premier at 4 p.m. to-morrow consist of not more than 15 representative members of the Convention.'' Mrj»E. A. Hairgen (Woodville) pr<? posed an amendment that the whole Convenvention should comprise the deputation. The amendment was lost and the motion carried. The Rev. F. W. Isitt moved-" That a deputation not exceeding 20 members -wait upon Ihe Defence Minister in reference to the non-enforcement of the lioensing laws throughout the colony." The motion was agreed to. The Rev. Mr. Hammond (Patea) moved— " That this Convention urge upon the Government the great wrongs done to the native race by their praotioal disfranchisement in relation to the liquor traffio, and aßka that legislative provision be made to put them on the same footing as Europeans in this respect." Ho was attending the Convention I at the .request of the natives, who would hail with delight a strict .supervision of the drink traffic. Jlnoh of tha good which had been done had been undone by tho lax way in which tho lioensing laws were administered. He hod Had natives coming into his church drunk, and on complaiain£bad been, jeeiod at by the publican and called a liar. Somp of the tangis were simply exhibitions of horrible debauchery, and yotthe police oonld not be persuaded that tho Maoris got drunk. One th ng wliioh was largely responsible for the evil was the pajrr.ont of rents to the natives in the Euroi-can lowna. Ihe Publio Tiustee was anxious to remedy this, and Mr. Seddon had assured him (tho speaker) that henceforth the rest should be paid in tlie Maori tettlements, and not in the European towns. (Hear, hear.) Mr. teddon was therefore fnJJy alivo to tha necessity for reform in the native districts. Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christohuroh} Baid that in view of the condition of affairs they would be perfectly justified in attempting to foroe lioenßing reform. Several' speakers thought that the Maoris were with them on this question. Mr. Hasgen aseerted that complaint w»» mado that members of tbe Government broke the law by barrying liquor-with them into the prohibited districts, and treating tho natives. It was on record in the Marton Court that the Premier 'bad done" this. Stringent legislation was required on this question, and it was hoped would be passed in the present session of Parliament. ' The motion was carried. ... . Mr. Haggen moved,, and it- was agreed, ■ That this Convention- urges upon the Divisional Leagues and all local Temperance organisations throughout the colony, to make immediate provision for a series of publio meetings, at which resolutions shall be submitted in favour of' the Licensing Bill intro'duoed by the Temperance Party in the House, such resolutions to be forwarded to the Premier, members of the district, and published in the press." Mr. Haggen further moved — " That this Convention pledges itself to arrange for the seleotion of candidates for Parliament to replaoe 'all membenTwho refuse to 'oonoede to the people the absolute control of the liquor traffio." In speaking to the motion Mr. T. E. Taylor Said the time had 'come 'when the Teaiperanoe Party shonld announce boldly that it had a national policy, and that .it was going to try" conclusions with the existing Ministry the first opportunity whioh offered. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. Mr. Isitt suggested tUe amendment of the motion to the effeot that ihe Convention pledged itself to do its ntmoßt to seonre the selection of candidates to replace members who refused to concede the people the absolute oontrol of the traffio, and to arrange with the Divisional Leagues and other Prohi^. bihon organisations to carry the resolution" into effeot. Mr. Haggen aooepted'-'the amendment, and the motion, was then agreed to. , ?.,.- .-. The Convention at 10 p.mi adjourned until next morning. . ,

The authorities of, the Midland .Railway have been ioroed to abandon the electriclighting system, with which several of dt's , trains -have been equipped, on account ot its unreliability and expensiveness. The trains -will hereafter be illuminated by Pintsch gas.