ALLIANCE WORKERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 212, 6 August 1940, Page 10

ALLIANCE WORKERS

CENTENNIAL DINNER. TRIBUTES TO PIONEERS. Tributes to the piqneers in the work of the New Zealand Alliance were paid at a centennial dinner held in the Itosco tearooms, last evening, by the Palmerston North branch. There was a large attendance, including a number of visitors to this city. The chair was occupied by Rev. J. Hubbard, president of the branch. Grace was pronounced by Rev. W. M. Garner. Mr H. Grins tend, secretary of the branch, submitted a-' number of apologies for absence, Including those from Mrs H. Paterson (Pahiatua), Mrs E. H. Carter (Palmerston North) and Messis H. E. Pacey (Wellington), J. A. AVilkinson (Palmerston North), C. Todd (Wellington) and Rev, Foi'de Carlisle (Feilding). Mr Hubbard extended a welcome to those present, especially the members who had carried the battle in past days. It was 66 years since tho New Zealand Alliance was formed. A new day was dawning for tho cause. The people were beginning to realise that if they were to get through this terrific conflict they had to be fully effiiTent, and they could not bo efficient if they had something in their midst that prevented this. 'The totalitarian Powers scotched the liquor tzaffic in their territories. Although the Alliance work of the past was fully remembered, and the men and women who served then, tho members of the Alliance had to look to the future. The day would come when the liquor traffic would be swept from the country, and there would be a cleaner and a lovelier land.

Replying to the welcome, Mr H. Milner, general secretary of the Alliance, said such a representative gathering encouraged him to think that there was a renewed interest and a renewed vigour in the aim of the Alliance. In New : Zealand the country’s best men and women had worked for the Alliance. If tho Alliance was prepared to lift up its voice now the people would respond. Tho greatest victory the organisation ever had was the 6 o’clock closing, but a great victory also had been won in regard to the legislation last year forbidding persons to have liquor at dances. Since then there had been 70 prosecutions for breaches of this law, with 69 convictions. There was a proposal now to introduce “wet” canteens to Territorial camps, but they would never be put there because there was a rising tide of public opinion against tliis. There was not a single thing to put on 1 the side of the ledger for tile expenditure of £9.250 000 a year on liquor in Now Zealand now. Mr Garner extended a welcome to members of the AA r omen’s Christian Temperance Union and the Rechabites Lodge. Both these organisations wore carrying on a great work among the young people, he said. This had special significance, as it was carried on among those who had plastic, receptive minds, and had most of their lives before them. For tho Women’s Christian Temperance Union Miss C. Jamieson replied, and Mr S. G. Northey spoke on behalf of the Rechabites Lodge. Mr Grinstend spoke of the descendants of the pioneers of the movement in New Zealand, and said there was present Mr C. J. Hobbs, a descendant of the man who started the first. total abstinence SocietS’ in the Dominion. The pioneers fought a great fight and the Alliance was grateful to them. Tlie reply was made by Rev. C. Eaton, who remarked that he was the son of a pioneer The pioneers had brought with J,hem a readv speech and a grand enthusiasm, To-dav the Alliance’s workers stood on the foundations laid by the pioneers in their fight for a clean and sober country. Mr A. J. Houston, assistant-director of the Presbyterian Church’s youth work, expressed to the gathering the greetings of the Youth Committee of the Church. This work had been worthwhile for people of other rears to carry out, and it was worthwhile to-day too. An entertainment programme was then entered upon.