THE PROHIBITION LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11541, 28 November 1900, Page 6

THE PROHIBITION LEAGUE.

ANNUAL -MEETING.

VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT ATTACKED. SAID TO BE A NURSERY FOR DRUNKENNESS. •; The annual meeting of the members of the Prohibition League was held in the Wesley Hall las*t night, the Rev. W. J. Williams presiding. There was a fair attendance. Mr. R. French, in the absence of the secretary, read the seventh annual report of the executive, which stated, inter alia, trisfo despite strenuous opposition the league's action in opposing the re-election of the 1897 Licensing Committee had been upheld by the citizens' vote. The executive were gratified to report that they had the support of the best citizenship in their endeavour to secure the election of the ten o'clock committee. This had been made manifest in various. ways, but especially in the public manifesto which appeared as an advertisement in both newspapers signed by nearly all the Protestant ministers in the city, as well as by the Mayor and a number of business and representative men and women. Respecting the alleged wholesale disfranchisement of electors at the 1899 polk early in the year, the executive had waited on tie Premier, who promised an inquiry. The report went on to refer to action taken by the league regarding this question and that of the sale of liquor in the King Country. The action of the Government during the past session, it was stated, emphasised the need for prohibitionists to be represented in the House in a manner befitting their numerical strength in the country. So also did the dominance of liquordom in the present Parliament and the conduct of several of its members, which had called forth very strong condemnation in some of the Southern newspapers. A protest was made against the contemplated licensing legislation, which, it was considered, should be postponed until the next general election, and the question of a Royal Commission being appointed to inquire into the King Country liquor question, upon which the executive suggested that a prohibitionist should be placed. After further dealing with matters in connection with the work of the league during the year, the report urged tho adoption of the teaching of temperanco in public schools. The treasurer's report showed a email debit balance, and a subscription of one penny per week was suggested to be taken up from supporters of the league's programme in this city, to cover future expenses. Reference was made to Lord Roberts' request, that returning soldiers should not be . treated to stimulants, and the hope was expressed that this request would be respected by the civil and military authorities in New Zealand; and father, that the canteen at the forthcoming volunteer encampment would be clear of intoxicants. It was stated that the proposal of the Fruitgrowers' 5 Association to request the Government to eliminate New Zealand wine from the operation of the Licensing Aot should' be resisted to the utmost. Regret was expressed that the society's president (the Rev. W. J. Williams) would be leaving Auckland in a few months. In June next the executive wore expecting a visit from Mr. J. G. Wooley, the American temperance lecturer. Indebtedness was acknowledged to the trustees of the Pitt-street Church for the use of their rooms for committee meetings during the year. In discussing the report Mr. Scott expressed the opinion that the volunteer movement was a nursery for drunkenness. He urged that means be taken to abolish canteens from volunteer encampments. The Chairman said that canteens were not tho only source of danger in this direction. An officer of the Volunteers had told him recently that some of the volunteer smoke concerts were often of a such a nature as to conduce to the ruin of the members.

Mr. Spedding supported the proposal that an effort should be made to do away with canteens, both in the volunteer force and the

army. Tho report was then adopted. The treasurer (Mr. S. C. Brown) read the financial statement, showing that receipts amounted to £159 19s, and expenditure to £167 14s 3d, leaving a debit balance of £7 15s-3d. In moving the adoption of this report the treasurer urged that a _ greater financial support be given to the society. The report was adopted. The election of officers was next proceeded with, and resulted as follows:—President, tho Rev. W. J. Williams; vice-presidents, the Revs. Hugh Kelly and A. H. Collins; treasurer, Mr. S. C. Brown; secretary. Mr. W. Cooper; executive, Mossrs. W. Spedding (chairman), C. E. McLean, A. Thome, J. Jenkins, G. Aldridge, W. Kerr, Parkinson, W. Vick'ery. J. W. Carr, R. French, J. T. Bull, C. J. Hill, H. Scott, A. C. Pacey, J. C. Morton, T. H. Garland, the Rev. W. Ready, E. Hare, R. Walker, T. L. Caley, and Miss Hughes. Tho meeting then proceeded to reviso_ certain of the rules of the society, this terminating the business.