TEMPERANCE COUNCIL.

Mataura Ensign, 6 July 1914, Page 2

TEMPERANCE COUNCIL.

ANNUAL REPORT. At tiie annual meeting of the Mataura ITnitod Temperance Council, to beheld ini the Temperance Hall, Core, on Wednesday the following annual report and balance-sheet will be submitted: The time that has elapsed since date of last annual report has beoii' marked by the calm which is said to precede the storm. While the activities oi the Council have not been seriously engaged we have been vigilant in regard to matters affecting tempera nee reform . ..LEGISLATIVE. The Council while reiterating the demand from Parliament for the "Bars majority" on both issues—"local nolicense" and "national prohibition"— iso appreciates the Government Bill providing for a reduction to 55 net 'cent, on the national issue, only that it has recommended the Alliance to accept the Bill in its present form, fearing that to do otherwise would l prob- j ahly imperil the chance of getting anything better from Parliament this session. TRADE CONDITIONS. Observation and experience on the part of very many qualified to judge and whose opinions are entitled to respect and acceptance, goes to show that compared with the days of license in. the town of Gore from the point of view of business and in the interests of the workers, the conditions noiv taining are unmistakably and alto-' gether in favor of the new era. COST OF DRINK. Government statistics show that the consumption of liquor for the whole Dominion is 75s per head; for licensed districts, 85s per head'; for dry districts, 18s Gd per li,ead. These figures show at once the enormous wastage going on in licensed areas, and the <orresponding savings that can be built up under no-license. THE COMING POLL. In view of the approaching triennial poll and the efforts to get restoration that will 'be made by the financially strong and organised Liquor Party, it is more than ever incumbent upon ©very supporter of "no-license reform" to use at all times and in all places, every means and effort to win converts to the No-license standard, and particularly to see that young voters are enrolled' and that on the fateful election day, even if sacrifice of valuable time is involved, that every known supporter is brought to the poll, and on .both issues "strike out the top line." 'THE VANGUARD.' This, the official mvblication of the Now- Zealand Alliance for the abolition of the liquor traffic, can now 'bo obtained for 5s per annum, and the Council would urge every supporter to become a subscriber to this paper, and in this way h«lp on the reform by extending the usefulness of this medium which exists for the advocacy of temperance reform. Orders should he addressed to J. B. Finlay, secretary, 42 Manners Street, Wellington. LITERATURE. The Council has arranged' with the proprietary of the 'Mataura Ensign' to publish every Saturday a Temperance Column, which will be devoted exclusively to the latest and best information on the temperance question. LIQUOR IN KING C'OUN'URY. Agitation is going on in this locality to remove the restrictions in force, prohibiting the sale of liquor in the King | Country, and the Council proposes to .bring forward-a resolution- at the annual meeting to protest against opening the door _ for the introduction of intoxicating liquors to people who do not want it. Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt will introduce this matter, and Rev. J. M. Simpson will also address the mee.ting. EVENTUALITIES. If National Prohibition is carried, "What will happen in regard to the spirits required l for sacramental, medicinal and art purposes?" The reply is that'the Act provides for a supply being available for such purposes. APPEAL. In view of the enormous expense involved in running an aggressive general election campaign and the fact that the Council has to depend- upon voluntary subscriptions and donations to meet the expenses of providing speakers, halls, and travelling expenses, and as there are large numbers of our friends who have not been invited to contribute to our Fighting Fund, any donations- sent in will be gratefully receiced and prompily acknowledged by the president,' secretary or treasurer. ' RECORD VOTING. At last poll the votes for national ■prohibition exceeded 55 per cent, of the valid votes cast. At the coming 1914- poll wo want | every voter to Vote right, for the abolition of the liquor traffic; Vote right, that the past record voting may be broken hy excess; Vote right, so that 1914 may once and for all see the liquor trade effectively voted: out. JOHN." MAOG'MBON, President. A. H. AITKEN. Secretary. Balance-sheet. RECEIPTS. ■d i , £ s d Balance brought forward ... 40 18 1 Subscriptions and donations G3 18 1 lemperance Hall receipts .. 28 9 5 £l3l 5 7 EXPENDITURE. £ s d New Zealand Alliance ... 25 0 0 lemperance Hall—Repayment loan and interest _, 51 ! 3 g Repairs, rates, insurance's", w " c - t t 11 18 2 Halt cost fence 2 3 0 Wank charge, exchange, etc. 6 9 Honorarium, secretary's assistant * ~ n r\ Bank balance J /, Cash in hand ... "] .'.'.' If 5 £l3l 5 7E. C. SMITH, Hon. Treasurer.