THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CII, Issue 11948, 20 July 1899, Page 3

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

[Per Press Association!] NAPIER, July 19,

This afternoon ; a-largely attended coti-'; ference of temperance workers was held in the . Cathedral school. A resolution was adopted affirming that as prohibition voters; the members were not allied to any political party. Committees were set up to raise a literature' fund and to systematically canvass- the- electorate for the dissemination" of -' information for methodical -work on local option day. In the evening a public meeting was held, at which the Dean of Waiapu, the Rev J. Asher (Presbyterian),- arid the Rev T. J. Wills (Episcopalian) were the principal speakers. Resolutions were adopted;—(l) “That this public meeting heartily approves of the Local Option Scrutineers Bill, introduced by Mr G. J. Smith, M.H.R., and respectfully requests the member for Napier, Mr' R. D. M’Lean, ito- giye it his support.” (2) “ That this meeting .of temperance workers express their sympathy with their fellow workers ip the Clutha electorate in that their work is subjected to so much 1 misrepresentation. They also express their appreciation of the work they have done and the educational value Jit has been to • the whole oolonv.” (3) “ That tliis public meeting express their gratitude to God and their satisfaction at the tidings that Bishop . Julius, of Christchurch, with many of the clergy and ministers of the various denominations, has issued an appeal to the voters of Canterbury to strike out the top line only, and thus vote for reduction and no-license.”

A meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall last evening to -receive the report' of the committee 'wliicih had'been appointed at a meeting held a fortnight previously to draft a constitution for "the society for studying the liquor question which it had then been decided to': form. There Vere ..present the Revs Canbu Knowles, W. S. Bean, H. Northcoto, G. A. Eraer, F. R. Inwood, F. Dunnage, W. Dunkley; and w! F. Knowles, Dr Irving and Hr Symes, and Messrs T; W. Maude, J.-. C. Maddison ' C. T. Dudley, F. Way mouth; C. P. Cox, ’ IV. Wood and T. J. Haling. Apologies for absence were received from the Revs W. A. Pasco c. If. E. Chambers, W. T. P. Winter, T. A. Meyer and W. Ronaldson, Dr Jennings, and Messrs J. Embling, R. Westenra, A. W. Dobson, S. S. Blackburne, A. E. Peache and Majqr Slater. Mr F. Waymouth was voted to the chair. The Rev W. S. Bean read the recommendations of tlie committee which had been appointed to draft a constitution, and it 1 was decided to consider the clauses seriatim.

The committee recommended that the name of the League should be “The Liquor Trade Inquiry and Reform League.” ‘The Rev Canon Knowles moved the adoption of the recommendation. The Rev F. R. Inwood moved and the Rev H. North cote seconded an amendment that the name should be “ The Moderation League.” The Chairman mentioned that a suggestion had been made in Mr Peache’s letter to call the League “The Rational Temperance League.” The Rev F. R. In.wood* wished to withdraw his amendment in favour of Mr Peache’s suggestion, but Mr Northcote objected, and, on. being put to the meeting, • the amendment was carried. The committee’s recommendations as to the electron of officers and holding of meetings were adopted. ' The conditions of membership as recommended by the committee were:—(l) Proposal by two members of the League and election by the General Committee; (2) the’ signing of a declaration of membership ; .(3) payment of an annual subscription of ss. The Rev H. Northcote said that the recommendations would tend to keep the League clear of an undesirable element. When he and Mr Bean had_ interviewed members of the liquor trade, the circular calling the meeting to form the League had alreadybeen drafted, and its provisions had not been modified. Those mfembers of the trade whom they bad seen had promised to assist .the; objects of the League, and it would be acting unfairly to exclude them from membership. He thought it was to the interests of the liquor trade to further the objects of the League and help to promote any reasonable reforms. The Rev W. S. Bean read a letter from Mr S. S. Blackbume, in which the writer enclosed some resolutions which he hoped, in his absence:, would be moved. He proposed that liquor traders and Prohibitionists should be ineligible for, membership, that the committee should be instructed to inquire into the evils of drinking at open bars, and also the elimination of private gain from the trade. He detailed the success of the experiment in other countries, and suggested that the term “liquor trader” should include individual traders, members of companies and employees in the trade. Mr Bean moved, .as an amendment, Mr Blackburne’s proposals in regard to membership. The Rev F. R. Inwood seconded the amendment, which, after discussion, was lost, and the committee’s recommendations were agreed to. The election of some of the officers resulted as follows:—'Vice-presidents, the Rev Canon Knowles and. Mr ,F. Waymouth; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. P. Cox; committee, the-Revs W. S. Bean, F. Dunnage, F. R. Inwood, H. Northcote and W. Dunkley, Messrs F. D. S. Neave, S. S. Blackbume, J. Enabling, Dr Symes and Major Slater. The meeting then closed.