MODERATE LEAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16726, 5 December 1914, Page 6

MODERATE LEAGUE.

DOMINION CONFERENCE,

SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS CARRIED.

1 Tho Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Moderate League was opened on Friday, November 27, at the League's offices Panama Street, Wellington. Mr A. A. _S. Menteath prosided, and the following delegates were present: —Auckland—William Thorno (president), F. Louis Armitage, W. Gorrio; Napier—H. B. Lusk (president), W. P. Mitchell; Manawatu—E. J. Armstrong (president); Wanganui— Dr H. 11. Hatherloy (president), T. B. Slipper; Christehurch—Alex. Boylo (president); South Canterbury—G.S. Cray (president); Otago—J. E. Thompson; Hamilton—M. Darko; Marlborough—M. W. Armstrong; Hotueka— O. C. Wilkinson; Wellington—J. B. Harcourt, F. H. Brodrick, J. H. Owen. E. B. Bristow, D. F. Skinner, J. F. Atkins. W. G. Talbot. Tho Dominion secretary, Mr R. A. Armstrong, was also in attendance, and submitted a report that the League was established on a firm footing in all tho important centres throughout the Dominion. The several branches report a very keen interest on the part of the moderate public and a daily increasing membership. After a general discussion of the various remits submitted by the branches, the conference adopted the following resolutions:—

PROHIBITION AND POLITICS. That this conference of delegates of the New Zealand Moderate League, representing the organised moderate public throughout tho Dominion, expresses its strong disapproval of the pledging of parliamentary candidates to specific objectives, and the attempt to decide parliamentary elections on single issues, as tending to the prejudging of legislative measures and the defeat ol the true functions of Parliament.

Therefore, in spite of the fact that such pledges have been extracted from some candidates by the prohibition party to unjustly reduce the majority necessary to carry no-license and national prohibition from 60 to 55 per cent, the. League, while firmly maintaining its claim t<- the 60-40 proportion, recommends the moderate electors to record their votes for candidates according to their true political qualifications, irrespective of this question, and hereby gives formal notice to all candidates and political parties that it considers such specific pre-election pledges ultra vires, and declines to recognise same as binding upon those elected to represent all classes of the community, and that it will hold all members of the new Parliament responsible for the conservation of the moderates' rights and personal liberties. That as many candidates have been forced and misled into this pledge by the aggressive and activo organisation of the prohibition party, profiting by tho past apathy of the moderate section and basing their claims upon the votes recorded in past years for no-licenso and prohibition, the moderate electors are .strongly urged to voice their protect against this insidious influence upon political life and the Legislature by soundlv defeating national prohibition <md no-license at the coming poll. THE LEAGUE'S GENERAL ATTITUDE FOR THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION.

Tliat this conference of delegates to the New Zealand Moderate League, reoresenting tho organised moderate public throughout the Dominion, having given full and careful thought to the Subject, resolves: — 1. That the time has come when those holding moderate views on the b'quor question should indicate to the Sectors the proper course to pursue between the "warring of opposing extreme factions.

2. That while those who study the human body in health and disease are united in "tho condemnation of the ibuso of alcohol, its moderate use is the subject of divergence of opinion. That as the result of tho vast amount of scientific research that has been carried out regarding the effects of alcohol on body, there is cogent evidence in support of its moderate use, while no satisfactory evidence has been put forward as to its harmful effects when used in moderation. 3. That where coercive legislation has been tried it lias failed to advance the eauso of true temperance, arousing the passionate resistance of the coerced, in whom the natural desiro for alcohol has been stimulated by tho hatred of unwarranted interference with liberty, and has therefore, led to smuggling, illicit manufacture, and trading, tending to hypocrisy and to tho moral deterioration of the people. ;

4. Tli at in these circumstances there is no warrant for interference by coercive legislation with the moderate use of alcohol which in mankind is, and has been, instinctive, practised throughout historic times and sanctioned by the Christian religion. 5. That, least of all, is there warrant for such coercive legislation in New Zealand, which leads the civilised world in moderation, notwithstanding tho wealth "of its inhabitants and the consequent opportunity for indulgence.

6. That the cause of true temperance can be advanced in two ways: (a) By tho cultivation of public opinion through education, the setting up of oi true code of temperance, and the dissemination of the truth about alcohol and its abuse, in place of the exaggerations and mis-statements frequently used. (b) By the vigilant employment of all proper means to protect the public from any attempt by self-interested manufacturers or traders in alcoholic drinks to increase their profits by the promotion of excess or the sale of harmful compounds, and to promote the elimination of abuses. 7. That to this end it is the intention of the league to advocate the following reforms: (a) That the present system of licensing committees be discontinued, and that there be set up a special Government department, controlling such district boards as may be necessary, to supervise the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors and all matters in connection with the administration of tho laws relating thereto, (b) The establishment by the Government of a standard basis of quality for all liquors imported and manufactured, in bond or otherwise, and the subsequent rigid examination of same in both wholesale and retail house* uuder a systematic scheme, (c) The District Boards to be appointed under clause (a) hereof to investigate all matters relating to the granting of licenses covering tho fitness of tho applicant, the terms under which tho applicant is to occupy licensed premises, viz.: rent, payment for goodwill, payment for furniture and fittings and stock-in-trade, and full knowledge of all restrictions to be imposed directly or indirectly by any interested party, with right, of board to refuse to grant any license when satisfied that the terms and conditions of entry or renewal are prejudicial to the proper fulfilment of the law. (d) Sale 3of liquor for consumption off the premises to be restricted to bottle stores, such bottle stores to be closed earlier than the bars. All vessels containing such liquor to bear the stamp of vendor. (a) The penalties for allowing drunkenness on tho promises, and for illegal trading and all abuses of license, to ho made heavier and more strictly enforced.

(8) That this conference pledges the New Zealand Moderate League to do everything in its power to carry out the fundamental principle of the moderate Teed—that all yirtue lies be-

tween two extremes —and to promote the removal of abuses and tho remedy of evils hitherto associated with tho manufacture, sale and consumption of alcoholic bevorages by such legislative measures as may be found necessary, short of direct interference with the rights of individual members of a democratic community to control their social habits and conduct so long as they do not infringe the righte and liberties of others. (9) That this conference, realising that there is imminent danger of prohibition being carried by a small majority of thoso who vote, representing in effect an actual minority of the electors, appeals to the general body of tho people to oppose the prohibition movement and to defeat the demand for no-liconse and national prohibition at the forthcoming elections. THE LOCAL NO-LICENSE ISSUE.

That this conference is of opinion that the local no-license issue should be abrogated and removed from tho ballot paper before 1917, as it is similarly unjust in principle to tho "Reduction" issuo recently eliminated, containing no provision for duction of intemperance, but being most evil in effect, as tending ,to the encouragement of drinking by minors, the consumption of ardent spirits in large quantities, and tho illicit procuration and trading in liquor, with all its unwholesome surroundings and consequent demoralisation. SUBSTITUTE SYSTEMS.

That in the opinion of this conference immediate steps should be taken to improve the present system of private ownership of licensed houses, both by the internal reform of the trade itself, and by the amendment of governing legislation, but having in view the possible failure of such attempts at improvement, the Government should be requested' to appoint an impartial board, to undertake inquiries into such alternative systems as: (1) The establishment of publio trusts, with limitation of profits; (2) municipal control; (3) State control. And that all possible information and data be collected forthwith to enable concrete proposals to be placed before Parliament should it be found advisable and in the best interests of the community. FREQUENCY OF LICENSING POLLS.

That in view of the present insecurity of tenure of licenses, leading to abuses caused by the consequent need' for making profits rapidly, and in view of the great political disturbance caused by the present frequency of licensing polls, this conference is of the opinion that a referendum on the following lines be submitted to the peoElo: —"That the .licensing elections be old once in every six years." A TEMPERANCE CODE That it be a recommendation to the branches that special "literature" committees be set up, for the purpose of preparing matter suitable for the inculcation of the principles of true temperance, the dissemination of truths about alcohol and the promulgation of a Moderates' code; all suggestions to bo forwarded in duplicate to the central executive for approval before publication . The following were appointed' a legislative and advisory board:—Messrs A. A. S. Mentoathj, J. B. Harcourt, J. F. Atkins, W. Perry, W. E. Pearson, F. H. Brodriek, J. H. Owen, E. Mace, D. F. Skinner, E. B. Bristow, and also to act as the central executive for the Dominion. A vote of thanks to the president was proposed by Mr Armitage, who, on behalf of the visiting delegates, expressed the gratitude felt by them for the splendid work done by the Wellington committee in general and' Mr Menteath in particular. (Published by arrangement).