LICENSING LAWS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1930, Page 7

LICENSING LAWS

ALLEGED EVASION

ALLIANCE RESOLUTIONS

The annual convention of the Wellington area, New Zealand Alliance, was held on Saturday afternoon in St.

Andrew's Presbyterian Hall. There was a large gathering.of members and supporters, presided over by tho Rev. F. B. Harry, area president, and addresses on various aspects of the Alliance work were given by the Rev. W. J. Comrie, Dominion president; Mr. J. Malton Murray, general secretary; the Rev. R. Eaine, and the area secretary. The annual report and balance-sheet wore presented, and showed consistent progress towards the aims of the organisation.

The conference dealt at length with the evasion of the licensing laws. In fchig connection the following resolution was passed: '"That while remaining firm in our adherence to the demands previously placed before Parliament for a two-issue ballot paper, bare majority, etc., we urge on the authorities the necessity for such action as will make the law for C o'clock closing more effective and le?;en the facilities for illicit trading. We view the widespread evasion of the law with alarm, and are of the opinion that the time is opportune for an effort toward the tightening up of the existing law and for such further legislation calculated to reduce tho consumption of alcoholic beverages."

Mention was also made of the growing evil of intoxicating liquors being consumed in public dance halls and in cabarets. To emphasise the opinion of the convention on this matter, tho following resolution was passed: "That this convention views with grave concern the growing evil of liquor being consumed at public dances and at cabarets, and hereby registers its protest against tho authorities for allowing such conditions tf continue- to tho detriment, physically and morally, of the young people of the community "

The area officers were re-elected lor the coming year.