NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16665, 25 September 1914, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINC4TON, September 24. Tho following hfus been issued by the New" Zealand Alliance:—

" Since the outbreak of war the New Zealand Alliance has not agitated either for or against the postponement of the general election and the licensing polls. Now that-it h as ocen . officially announced that the polls are to bo taken at the usual' time, the Alliance executive has passed the folI lowing resolution : "Whereas (1) the liquor traffic is | a fruitful cause of economic waste, physical inefficiency, moral degeneration, crime, disease and death, (2) during the last twelve vears over £42,000,000 have been spent, in New Zealand on liquor, and- there have been over 123,000 convictions for drunkenness, (3) during that period the liquor traffic has existed in New Zealand by a minority vote, and at the licensing polls of 1911 259,943 electors, being a majority of 54,282, declared for prohibition, but were reduced to impotence by the requirement of a three-fifths majority, (4) this . handicap upon the most urgent of social reforms was inspired by a regard for vested interests, and is contrary to justice and democratic principle, (5) notwithstanding the continued and growing demand for the removal or at the substantial reduction of this handicap, and despite the election pledges of a majority of the present House, Parliament refused to make any such reduction the New Zealand Alliance, therefore, while maintaining the right to the simple majority, calls upon its suj>porters, where necessary, to subordinate political party interests tit the forthcoming election in order to securo tho return of candidates definitely pledged to remove or at least very substantially reduce the handicap on both the -issues of No-license and National Prohibition, and to oppose any retrograde legislation. Tho New Zealand Alliance also urges Leagues to use the full strength of their organisation to secure the return of such candidates."