MODERATE LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 106, 31 October 1914, Page 3

MODERATE LEAGUE

BRANCH FORMED AT LOWER HUTT. An enthusiastic and well-attended meeting, convened by the New Zealand Moderate League, was held at the Lower Hutton Thursday, Mr. E. P. Bunny presiding. The Chairman pointed out the necessity for the moderate section of the community to organiste, so that in the future they would dictate to the extreme parties on either side of fche liquor question, instead of, as in the past, being quite ignored in the matter. The time was come when the Prohibitionists should be told that their continuous demands for more drastic legislation must 6top. Moderate men were not going to allow any one section — either the Prohibitionists or the Liquor Party — to dominate the position in which, after all, moderate men and women were more concerned. Mr. Bunny considered_ that already the Moderate • League's influence was being felt in the Doniinion, and instanced the change of attitude adopted by the Anglican Synod which met last week at Auckland. If the contention of the No-License people, that they should lay down a mandate as to what men should or should not drink, was correct, then it •would be equally correct' for them to set out what a man should or should not eat. Mr. A. A. S. Menteath. president of the league, stated that while one of the main objects of the league waß to combat National Prohibition, it did not ftllow that- they supported the liquor trade in any way. They admitted that many reforms were required to control the distribution of alcohol, and the efforts of the league would be in the direction of effecting these reforms. ' Mr. T. A. Peterkir supported the remarks of the previous speakers, and protested strongly against th«> attempt of one section to interfere with the liberties of anothei section, who merely differed in opinion with them on this matter. On the motion of Mr. J. F. Atkins, it was decided to form a branch of the league in the Hutt electorate, and the following committee was elected, with power to add to their number : — Messrs. E. P. Bunny (chairman), F. H. Brodrick, T. A. Peterkin, J. F. Atkins, F. Wills, and Mrs. Atkins.