N.Z. ALLIANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 5

N.Z. ALLIANCE

ANNUAL MEETING

POLICY STATEMENT ADOPTED.

(Per Press Lssociatitfii — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, May 25

The annual meeting of the Mew Zealand Alliance was held to-day in Wellington, delegates being present from ail parts of the Dominion. . The meeting adopted the following statement, of ' policy :

“The Mew Zealand Alliance reaffirms its unalterably conviction that there can. be no final solution of the liquor problem s> long as the traffic in alcoholic liquor for beverage purposes is legalised in any way. It reaffirms its conviction that abolition of the liquor traffic through the will of the people is a sound major step towards solution i To that end it will continue to strive to educate the peo- ; pie in regard to the truth concerning: the nature and effects of alcohol when used as a beverage.

“The Alliance was founded- as' a result of the great evils arising from'thepresence of the liquor traffic in New Zealand, the fight against those evils has been continued because of what has happened in New Zealand, and -it will be* continued for the same reason. Dcvelopment^-4nts«^aet' ; countries provide encouragement, or. discouragement .from tixne'tf^WEe;-but they do: not •affect- ilia,-New Zealand position,- It is ■ for the people of New Zealand to achieve their., own emancipation by setting this matter in the interests-of the community as a whole. - : • “The Alliance recognises that the popular vote; of recent years 'has been adverse to immediate abolition, and accepts this as a challenge to increased intensity of educative effoit, particularly in the direction of gaining adherents-to total abstinence, especially amongst the young. It is likewise anxious to curb - still further the -evils inherent in and arising from the traffic while • legalised.- Duringover fifty years of struggle in New Zealand,-? the temperance- forces have achieved' some, excellent results, 'as for instance,, twelve No-Licenscs electorates the abolition of theemployment > of barmaids, stoppage of further increase in retail licenses,, six o’clock, closing, and the national polls On the question of abolition or continuance. -

“Jt is freely admitted that, the recurring polls have been of. great value,, not only for testing public - opinion, but at a. s salutary check-upon a trade prone to abuses. The liquor interests are ev.er. seeking -to -undo , what has beep •• facilities for profit at the expense; of national welfare. The Alliance therefore, earnestly urges- all interested in social and moral reform to renew their interest i’ l and support of a movement which, welcoming- those of m parties and all creeds', seeks to retain the resluts already achieved; to develop a new and widespread educative effort, and to |accomplish a reform rich in potentialities of. benefit, for the entire community. ■ " : The statement of policy referred to‘ the committee for further, consider, •ation. ■