SPLIT IN THE PROHIBITION PARTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11372, 15 May 1900, Page 3

SPLIT IN THE PROHIBITION PARTY.

. » ■ A meeting of members of tho Auckland Prohibition League was held last night in tho Tailoressos' Hall, Cook-street. About 40 persons attended. On tho motion of Mr, Richard Walker, Mr. William Richardson was called to the chair. Mr. Richardson explained that following on tho last general meeting of tho league a requisition was sent by members to the chairman of tho executive(Mr. William Speckling), asking him to call a general meeting to ascertain how many members intended to support political action by the league in the future, to arrange for tho regular carrying on of open-air propaganda, and to appoint delegates to tho convention in Wellington. Mr. Spedding refused to convene a general meeting of members, and even refused to convene the executive before the ordinary date. On account of that refusal ho (Mr. Richardson) went to the president of the leaguo (tho Rev. W. J. Williams), but ho also refused to take any action. That being so, the meeting of that evening was convened. Mr. Lyons moved, "That this general meeting of the Auckland Prohibition League affirms that tho time has arrived when the New Zealand Alliance should definitely take up united political action, and to this end this league affirms that it is quite as important to elect a prohibition party to Parliament as to carry a successful local option campaign ; that to insist upon a prohibition law being honestly administered is as important as to vote the law into existence and to this end tho leaguo strongly advises .the New Zealand Alliance and all affiliated leagues and societies to work in the future in this direction, leaving all other political considerations on ono side, and to faithfully promote the prohibition of tho liquor traffic as one of the great objects of the alliance's existence; also, that the secretary send a copy of the resolution to tho secretary of the alliance, to ho brought before tho convention to be held in Wellington on the 24th inst." Tho motion was seconded and unanimously carried. Mr. Richard Walker submitted a motion in favour of monthly meetings of the members of tho league, which was declared carried. Mr. Black proposed a resolution, urging on tho executivo of tho league to start an openair mission, and that tho co-operation of 1 ministers and citizens generally bo invited. ' This also was seconded and declared carried. ! Tho meeting agreed unanimously, on tho | motion of Mr. Walker, that Mr. W. Richard- [ sou bo sent as a delegate to advocate poI 'litical action to the convention to bo held, I , in Wellington on the 24th inst. - i Mr. Walker moved, "That the executive i ! bo asked to say how many, if any, of that , l body are willing to carry out the resolution I in favour of political action carried at tho I last general meeting." i Mr. Haro cautioned the meeting against | representing themselves as the Auckland ProI hibition League, if in reality, and legally, they j were not entitled so to call themselves. Tho meeting had not the league minute-book or any of the property of the league, and ho I thought they were placing themselves in a position that would be caricatured and ridiculed. He did not approve of Mr. Richardson going to Wellington as representing the j league, when in reality ho did not represent I it. Mr. Richardson might go as representing j a certain body of prohibitionists in Auckland, I but it would cause confusion if lie went as i representing the league. Mr. Hare also cauj tinned the meeting against breaking awav ! from the old members of the league, because if ! Mr. Richardson left Auckland he was doubtI ful if thoro were among those present members with energy to carry on tho work without the assistance of the old members. Mr. Richardson said tho meeting was as legal, constitutional, and proper a meeting of tho Auckland Prohibition Leaguo as had ever been held or ever would be held. The motion calling on the executive to supply information as to how many members are in favour of political action was then put and carried. Mr. Black asked what would be done if tho executive refused to work in lino with the resolutions just passed. Mr. Richardson said the league could again meet and deal with the executive. A member asked Mr, Richardson if ho thought he would have a standing at Wellington, in view of the fact that ho had been appointed at a meeting at which there wero neither chairman nor secretary nor minutebook. _ Mr. Richardson said ho would have a standing- Ho had been appointed by a meeting of tho league. Moreover, tho invitation to (he convention at Wellington was so wide Hint any meeting on tho street could send a delegate. The. meeting then closed, Mr. Richardson advising all to attend tho meeting of the executive of the league, which is to bo held m tho Wesley Hall to-night.