NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Evening Star, Issue 7470, 14 March 1888, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

[Special to the Star,]

AUCKLAND, UitWi 18.

The second annual meeting of the members of the above organisation was held to-day, Aboht 100 members and friends met for breakfast at 8.30 this morning in Robson’s diningrooms. Sir William Fox presided, and amongst those present were Messrs Monk, Withy, and Moss, M.H.E.s, and the Revs. Chew, Bavin, Millar, Roberts, Ward, Worker, and Bellows. Mr Baddclcy, R.M., was also present. After breakfast short speeches were delivered by Messrs J. Newman, B. Withy, M.H.R., R, Monk, M.H.R., W. J. Speight, Rev. Mr Ward. The doxology was then sung, and tho mooting adjourned to the lecture hall of theY.M.O.A. Rooms, where the General Council were in session, GENERAL COUNCIL. At 10 a,in. the General Council of the Alliance met in the Y.M.C.A, Rooms. Sir William Fox, K.C.M.G., presided. On the platfoim were also Messrs Glover, Withy, Newman, aud Rev. Mr Reid.

The Chairman in addressing the meeting remarked that as tho report was a lengthy one he should not speak at any length. He believed that very much greater interest would be felt in the operations of the Alliance if members knew more of what was going on in, other portions of tire world.

The Hen. Secretary (Mr Newman) then read apologies for non-attendance from a large number of leading citizens, amongst whom were Messrs R. Hobbs, M.H.R., F. G. Ewington, J. G. Lennox, H, G. Seth Smith, J. C. Firth, R. T. Warnock, F. M. Chayton, H. Worthington (head-master of Wellesley street east School), Uev. W. Tebbs, and others.

Mr Glover then read the second annual report, which stated that during the year the organising agelit (Mr Glover) bad held 102 public meetings, in addition to which he had also delivered thirty-eight addresses in different places of worship; and the report also referred at length to the Conference held in Wellington on 21st July last, when forty representatives attended from all parts of the colony. It was also stated that the Alliance had now 133 auxiliaries, the officers of ■which were entirely honorary, and that there could be no doubt that the marked advance of public sentiment in all parts of the colony was in favor of Prohibition. With regard to finances, the report contains tho following clause Acting up to the determination expressed in last year’s report, tho executive have governed the expenditure entirely by tho amount of financial aid afforded by the membership at the end of last year. We close -with a small credit balance after all engagements have been met. By reference to the balance-sheet it will be seen that our total income has boon L71519a 9d, and our expenditure L 712 2s lOd. It is gratifying to note that the income has been derived from sources more generally spread over the colony than during the preceding year, thus proving that tho Alliance is becoming more and more appreciated as a distinctly colonial organisation, and not merely as a society existing for local objects, or depending for its financial suppoit upon the subscriptions of tho few. The subscribers now on our books amount to 3,100.” Referenc i was also made to the fact that in tho late election questions had been put to candidates for Parliamentary honors. Hy this moans uniformity in demand in the matter of legislation in relation to the liquor traffic was oDserved towards all candidates. The replies given were necessarily ambiguous in the generalities so often indulged in by tho seekers of honors in prospective, and thus rendered unavailing ; and lastly, but most important, their maximum actual strength in Parliament had been for the first time ascertained. As was to bo expected, the replies received from the candidates were of a varying character. Of those elected twenty-five adopted the programme of the right of the people to prohibit without compensation in its entirety; tlvrty-thrcc agreed in giving power to prohibit, but insisted upon compensation; whilst fourteen tubers, although agreeing to Prohibition without compensation as a rule, thought there might arise some case in wlrch a limited degree of compensation might be called for in equity. A further number (seven) could not accept the principle of Prohibition at all, deeming the liqnor traffic a necessity for the colonist. The late session was not considered a favorable oppoitunity to bring forward a Prohibition policy, but it was thought something could bo done in the coming session. The report was adopted on the motion of the Rev. Mr Bavin, seconded by Rev, Mr Davidson. of Maungaturoto. Mr M'Derraott mentioned that the local option vote would come on next May, and hoped that they would not be asleep. Ho would also like Sir William Fox’s articles upon compensation printed in pamphlet form. The Chairman said that the articles were going to bo revised and printed by the Alliance. The president, vice-presidents, and Executive Committee were then elected. The same officers were returned as last year, with tho exception that tho Rev. Rutherford Waddell, M. A, of Dunedin, and Mr A Clophano, of Christchurch, were added to the vice-presidents, with Mr Seth Smith, of Oamaru, and Mr H. T. B. Batlcy to tho Executive Committee. Mr Harrison, of Warkwortb, advocated more concentrated action for the future. They should also review past actions and avoid previous errors.

Mr Gregory next moved—“ That this council re-affirms the platform and policy of this organisation adopted at the inaugurated meeting held in Wellington in March, 1886,” He considered that they should not attempt to regulate the liquor traffic. Let it be simply a question o! Prohibition or non-Prohibition. He regretted the failure in Ponsonby, but still they were quite ready to fight the election again. He believed that in the future the brewers would find that it would not pay to try and force hotels on the public by means of legal technicalities. Mr W. J. Speight seconded the motion. He believed that all attempts at regulation of the traffic were a mistake, in that they simply embroiled them in still greater troubles as far as Prohibition was concerned In the matter of regulation the Alliance had no part or lot, and therefore they reiterated their platform that Prohibition alone would satisfy them. Had not the day come when they could take their stand upon clear lines and stick to it? With regard to Ponsonby, he could only say—- “ Thank God that the election was upset. If the publicans say they did not fight that battle then, let them come forward and fight it fairly now,” Unless they had the will of the people behind them they would never close an hotel; otherwise It would be a positive injustice. Let thtfm take no advantage of technical flaws; let the battle be fairly fought, and let every defeat merely mean “ Come on again.”—(Applause), The motion was duly adopted. Mr Richard Monk, M.H.R., next moved—- “ That, in order more fully to convince the people of this colony of tho frightful evils and dangers of tho liquor traffic and the absolute necessity of obtaining legal power for its suppression, the council earnestly solicit the friends of the Alliance in each locality to promote an increased circulation of temperance literature, and provide that the valuable leaflets published by ua be placed in every home in this community; and wo farther recommend such papers as the • Leader ’ and the ‘ Temperance Herald ’ to tho support of all friends of temperance.” This was seconded by Mr Warboys, and was adopted. Other resolutions were moved and supported by the Rev. 0. Garland and Mr D. Goldie, M.H.R. Tho last resolution had reference to the opening of clubs in Prohibition and other districts.

In the evening a public meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Lecture Hall was presided overby Sir William Fox, and addressed by Mr John Buchanan, Mr Tcyland, Mr J. Newman, Mr T. W. Glover, and others.