Temperance Convention.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6298, 4 July 1895, Page 1

Temperance Convention.

(BY TELEGRAPH.) Wellington, July i. The Temperance Convention' opened this afternoon. There were about 40 delegates, representing all parts of the colony. The Rev. Mr Miller (Napier) presided. The afternoon session was held in committee.

The Rev. Mr Wallace read a paper on the new essentials of legislation, holding that the liquor traffic was publicly injurious and incapable of effective control by legislation, therefore legislation should make no provision for its extension, but for its complete suppression in districts of the colony when public opinion proves its readiness by a popular vote. A number of suggestions were made, the chief of which were that none but wholesale and publicans' licenses be granted, no licenses renewed near native lands, that local polls be simultaneous and the issue simply be license or no license, that a colonial option poll respecting prohibition throughout the colony of the importation or manufacture for sale and the sale of liquor be determined by a majority of those who vote, such vote to be taken on the day of every general election until such prohibition is carried. A resolution was carried supporting the Bill introduced by Mr M'Nab, M.H.R. It was resolved to protest to Parliament against the scheme for the disposal of the Bank of New Zealand Estates Company by lottery as dishonest or immoral. At the evening sitting of the Temperance Convention the following resolutions were passed : " That the Convention urges upon the notice of the Government the great wrong done to the native race by their practical disfranchisement in relation to the liquor traffic, and asks that legislative provision by made to put them on the same footing with Europeans, in this respect." " That the Convention urges upon divisional leagues and all local temperance organisations throughout the colony to make immediate provision for a series of public meetings, at which resolutions shall be submitted in favor of the Licensing Bill introduced by the temperance party into the House of Representatives, such resolutions to be forwarded to the Premier and members of the district and published in the press." " That this Convention pledges itself to do- its utmost to secure the selection of candidates to replace all members who refuse to concede to the people absolute power to control the liquor traffic, and to arrange with divisional leagues and other organisations to carry this-resolution into effect. "