WAIAPU REFORM LEAGUE

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 806, 22 January 1903, Page 2

WAIAPU REFORM LEAGUE

FIRST GENERAL MEETINGGETTING UNDER WAY.

The first general meeting of the Waiapu Reform L-.-aitue was fi:id in the Masonic Hotel sample-rooms last evening. There was a huge attendance, amongst those present being the fo!lu'.ving: Messrs .J. M icfiiriat.t, W. D. Lvsni", A. H. Wallis, U. J. II vr.Miis. E. .T. Csirisp. It. M. Hi reel!. id if. Paik r. U m,., tt. I. i.wloss, Hum-dress. \V. Web.-, G laia i. W. Mclntosh, Homes A. Cooper, and Russell. Mr l«e\ redds was p-oposc-d to the lilts cxpi'-h uec of pul.cic ,u-j tings. and alter seme hesitation, on the ground that he preferred to see Mr Maetarhme act in the positio, , he- cmisenir-d to take the chair.

OH.IKCTS OF LKAGL'K. lii opening the proceedings Mr Wallis said that they had been called together that evening to counteract what the prohibitionists had been doing in the electorate. All of those who had joined the League were naturally not prohibitionists, and the idea that they should have iu view should De to form something to counteract what the prohibitionists had already done in reducing licenses, and probably taking away all licenses from the district. Mr Wallis then read the proposed programme of the League, which was as follows :

1. To vote and work against l> Prohibition ” or " Mo License ” as at present provided by law. 2. To work and use our influence individually and collectively tc get the licensing laws of this colony put on a better footing, so as to minimise the abuses emanating from liquor and its laws to the smallest degree possible. 3. To promote the general education of the community as to the use and ntiusc of liquor, the physical and moral causes and conditions of intemperance.

4, To secure pi acticai effect'for the proposals of the Lesgue through legislation and other means.

ItULKS. The following rules were adopted : 1. That there shall be a president, two vice-presidents, secretary, treasurer, and a committee consisting of fifteen members. The president, vice-presidents, secretary, and treasurer to bo ex-ofiicio additional members of committee, with power to ndd to their number. 2. That the above officers, with the exception of the secretary and the treasurer, shall be elected by ballot at each annual general meeting of the Laaguo, and shall hold office for one year or until such time as the objects of the League have been accomplished. 8. That the annual general meeting be held in January.

4. That in case of vacancies in the office of president or vice-presidents, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled at a general meeting of the League. Vacancies occurring in the general committee shall be filled up by the committee. 5. Members of the League who are absent from any meeting shall bo allowed to appoint in writing any other member of the League as proxy to vote at such meeting.

6. The qualification of membership shall be :—(a) The signing of declaration cf application for membership ; (b) that the applicant is over 17 years of age, and is not the holder of a licenso under the Licensing Act ; (c) proposed by any two members of tho League and election by the general committee.

<J 0 R R K S 1> O X D E X C E. Mr G. Grant wrote as follows :—“ I regret that I shall not be able to attend the first general meeting of the W.ll. League, but I hope to be able to help to tho best of my ability when I roturn from Wellington.”

Mr W. F. Crawford wrote :—“ Please excuse me. Uuavoidable circumstances prevent my attending your meeting tonight. I would like to take an active part in the proceedings, and agree with anything your meeting decides.” LETTER l-’ROM REV. 11. WILLIAMS.

Mr Maclariane handed in tho following letter, which ho had received from tho Rev. Herbert Williams: —“ I presume you will be sure to be at the meeting of the Reform League on Wednesday next. As I have unexpectedly been called up the Coast, I take tho liberty of asking you to act as proxy for me. I fancy there is some likelihood of the first clause—the pledge to voto against prohibiton—being reviewed. If so, lam in favor of striking it out. No one who was otherwise inclined will vote so because of the clause, and its retention will shut out many who would assist us in all reasonable reform, but who at present voto prohibition as a protest against existing evils. On tho main question of policy 1 think wo shall have to go slow, and at first bo content with minor reforms. The present political outlook is all in our favor, and by going steadily at present and above all things extending our numbers by rousing interest in the movement, wo shall, I feel sure, bo able to achieve something valuable in the future.” Mr Macfarlane spoke in favor of the proposition made by Rev. H. Williams, and moved that clause one be struck out. Mr E. J. Cbrisp seconded the motion, and pointed out chat as tho League was just starting they required the support of persons representing all shades of opinion. He thought that they should go slow at first.

Mr Lysnar looked upon olause 1 of the League’s programme as the crux of the whole position. He had gone carefully into the matter, and it would bo to the detriment of the League to strike the clause out. They could not ask for two things, and they must either be satisfied or dissatisfied with prohibition. He contended that they were dissatisfied with prohibition or they would not be members of the League. He had written to many members of Parliament, and in the replies received members stated that as far as they could gauge public opinion the people were satisfied with prohibition, but as

soon as they asked for something else Parliament would give it to them. It was therefore the duty of the League to suggest other reforms. The greatest opponents to their reforms would be

prohibitionists and prohibition members of Parliament, whilst he thought that they could look for every assistance from the trade. The prohibition party had been opposing reforms in the trade for the last twelve or sixteen years. He sincerely trusted that clause one would bo left alone. They could only obtain relief by going to Parliament. More than half of those who

had joined the League had stated that they were opposed to prohibition, and he would rather see a small membership than that the clause should be deleted. If members were satisfied with prohibition then there was no cause to go any further. He hoped to see the Leaguo have a membership of from a thousand to

fifteen hundred in Gisborne, and that it would extend throughout the colony. At present they had a membership of over three hundred, but only about fifty of these resided in Gisborne.

Mr Birreli thought that Mr Lysnar had made the matter very clear, and it really was the only common sense view to take. They had to fight prohibition, because they knew that all prohibitionists were opposed to reforming the trade. Mr Macfarlane said that both Messrs Lysnar and Birreli were most emphatic in contending that the League had to fight prohibition, but he could assure them that there were different ways of fighting prohibition. He contended that by leaving the clause referred to they were assisting prohibition, and they would find this out later on. Many persons had voted for prohibition because the Government had failed to make reforms in the trade, and if the same state of affairs continued there would be many more who would vote prohibition. By leaving the clause in they were assisting prohibition. After further discussion the motion was put to the meeting and lost by 10 to 5.

ELECTION' OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was then preeeeded with. On the motion of Mr W. Webb, seconded by Mr A. Cooper, the Rev. H. Williams was appointed president. Messrs W. D. Lysnar and W. L. Rees were elected vice-presidents. The following committee were elected : Messrs J. Macfarlane, XV. Cooper. G. Grant, A. H, Wallis, R. J. Reynolds, H. D. Parker, E. J. Chrisp, J. W. Nolan, G.

E. Eliott, H. Jv Humphreys, Bilhara, W>

F. Crawford, W. Webb, R. M. Birrell, and W. Baird. QUESTION OF EXPENSES.

The question was raised as to whether it was intended to make members pay a subscription fee, the Chairman remarking that he thought this provision should have been embodied in the rules.

Mr Lysnar thought that a subscription of two shillings would be sufficient to pay all expenses. They expected to have a large membership. Mr Wallis said that already a goodly sum had been spent.

Mr Lysnar said that the liabilities at present amounted to £33, which represented the cost of advertising and expenses in connection with the liev. Thomson's address.

.Mr Parker said that t lie- sum of two shillings per member would hardly work iiff tin- atmuitu, that was owing. Mr l.ysuar said that they would lutve to tn and make a distinction in regard to the expenses already incurred, which they could not ask mein.hers to pay. Mr Vv. Webb urged that the- matter should be left to the committee.

Mr Birrell contended that every member of the League should pay his subscription.

Mr Lysnar : Yes, in future years ; hut not for the past. Mr Birrell : if this League is going to benefit tlie community, the people should certainly be asked to pay their subscriptions. Why should the committee, after wasting time and expense in regard to the League, lie asked to hear the chief Imrdcti of the cost ? It, was a great act of injustice. Continuing, Mr Birrell expressed disappointment tiiat the committee had drawn up no programme to submit- to the meeting. 'l'lie question of the amount of the subscription was left to the committee to decide.

Mr A. Cooper urged the advisability of calling the committee together, at. an early date. They required to get. to work at. once, for the League was urgently required. Mr Wallis was also of this opinion.

It- was agreed that a meeting of the committee should he held next week, and the. meeting broke up with a vote of thanks lo the chair.