NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE CONVENTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 153, 28 June 1912, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE CONVENTION

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. ' Tho New Zealand Alliance Convention .reassembled at 9.30 3 - estorday, under the presidency of Mr. Wesley Spragg. The session was mainly occupied with questions of organisation, estimate of income and expenditure for tho ensuing year, and tho election of officers for tho next year. Mr. Wesley Spragg was declared unanimously re-elected president, amid great enthusiasm, the delegates rising to their feet, and cheering? Vice-presidents were ako appointed, and executive and consultative committees elected. After a lengthy discussion, the convention unanimously resolved — "That in tbo event of the matter of separation of tho Licensing from the Parliament ary poll coming up during tho year, this convention instructs the executivo to oppose it." It was also resolved — "That the Government bo requested to amend section 12 of the Licensing Act, to provide that in tho ov'ent of &. dissolution of Parliament before' it has been iv existence eighteen months, no licensing poll shall bo taken at . the electoral poll for tho now Parliament at such election, but on tho day fixed for tho poll at tbo next succeeding general election." Mr. Blaokwell read a paper on "National Organisation, " and resolutions wore passed calculated to ensure that every part of New Zealand would be thoroughly organised during tho near future. Mr. Falkner (Auckland) moved: "That tho executivo bo instructed to tako tho necessary steps to "secure^ tho nomination and return of candidates pledged to support the buru majority." This was> carried. Roy. H. L. Blamircs moved, Mr. Pros.ser seconded, and it was carried: — "That in _ view of tho horse-play and ruffianly interference to which open-air speakers aro frequently subjected, representation bo made to the Government so us to secure fcuoh amendments or alterations of tho Police Offences Act as will assure the British right to freedom of speech." Roy. A. Armstrong, from -the King Country, moved; — "That this convention strongly urges that representation be made to the Government to secure that section 37, Licensing Amendment Act, 1910, applying to No-licenso areas, bo also made to embrace and bo applicable to proclaimed areas (tho King Country), and that the matter t>e 'ief erred to tho* executive to take action." Agreed to. Moved by Dr. Erio Caro (Napier), and carried: — "That this convention urge Parliament to bring in such legislation as will place clubs upon the same footing as f hotels in regard to police inspection." Thero wa6 animated discussion upon the questions of the securing the appointment of scrutineers at every isolling-booth in tho country, and the 'prevention of tho violation of the secrecy of the ballot. Steps were taken to secure theEe two ends. Rev. F. W. Chattertou, prinoipal of tho To Rau Anglican Maon College, Qisborne, read a paper upon tho results of tno carrying of Prohibition iv ono of the Maori districts which included Poverty B nu a ' ul parD oi tlw aflfc k' oa!st - Iho next convention is to bu held in Cliriiitohurcii. Tho convention concluded last night.