GOOD TEMPLARS' CONVENTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10599, 20 February 1896, Page 6

GOOD TEMPLARS' CONVENTION.

A temperance convention was held in the Trinity We.leyAn Church Schoolroom yesterday, the |>ioceedings commencing shortly after 10 a.m. Bro. R. N. Adams, G C.T., occupied the chair, and tbere were about 40 delegates present. APOLOGIES. A letter of apology for non-attendance was received from Bro. J. Patterson, D.C.T. The Rev. Bro. Jobt said the Rev. J. J. Lewis asked him to apologise for his absence. The rev. gentleman regretted that he could not be present owing to sickness in his family, especially as he would have liked to welcome the membeis of the Convention to the Triuity Church School. THE PRINCIPLES OV GOOD TEMPLAR*. The Chairman read a paper on the above subject. He invited his hearers to look at the subject from six different aspects, whioh seemed to him to underlie the whole scope of Good Templar work—(l) Its relation to the Divine Being; (2) its relation to religion; (3) its reUtion to mankind ; (4) its relation to social drinking customs: (5) its relation to the license system; (6) its relation to prohibition: In the first place, before a candidate could be received into membership in a: Good Templar lodge he must declare his belief in the existence and power of God, the Ruler aud Governor of all things. Secondly, having satisfied themselves that the candidate foL- membership was one who believed in their God, they made- no farther inquiries regarding hi« religious creed. Thirdly, they looked ou all men as brethren. Neither nationality, race, language, colour, nor condition constituted any barrier to their mutnal intercourse. While they did Dot' prohibit their members from using alcohol medicinally, they required that no one should be the judge of his own medicine in this case; and even when prescribed by a medical adviser a member's lodge had a right to determine whether alcohol taken in this way did not constitute a violation of the obligation of total abstinence assumed at its altar before God and mau. Their mission was to rescue the fallen and to prevent others from falling. To perform tbe latter duty they must renovate the habits of society. So loug as social and public drinking habits prevailed so long would men and women continue to fall before the ever-present foe. They should only secure immunity from "his seductive and deadly influences" when they had succeeded in making him au outlaw. When they had passed the act of outlawry against alcohol, they might ■hopo to save the young, ths pure, and the virtuous from falling into hia power. Before that they should go on as in the past, warring with tbe foe in a desultory warfare— now victorious, now, defeated, — while all around them, lis the bodies of the slain filling drunkards' graves. The order laid down a new principle in relation to the sexes which I bad token hold of the civilised world, and cuu

at the present time produoing a mighty upheaval of the politic*! fabric in many lands. More notably in this country than in any other had its influence been felt. Hs.-ring set themselves in order against the powers of the brewery and the distillery, they found that at every corner they ran foul of opposing forces. Among these stood prominently forward the common habit, of social drinking. They had less to oppose in the grosser indulgence of drunkcnneMs, for all men commended them in their effo/ts to save the drunkard from bis excessive drinking. But in spite of the obloquy they brought upon themselves they were bound to conde<nu the social habit of treating friend* in private hdmes as a more mischievous aud dangerous custom than the drinking at a publichouse bar. Good Templars were'of the thorough stamp. They began prohibition with the " pub under the nose " first, and then extended it to the one at the corner of the street. They closed their own mouths against intoxicating liquor, they closed their own houses against it, and then, so far as their own votos went, closed the publiohouse against it. The speaker went on to ask how was it possible for them to have any relation whatever with the licensing system ? The second seotion of the Good Templar's platform said : " No license iv auy form, under any circumstances, for the sale of liquors to be used as beverages." ■ That was only a oorollary from their obligation. They promised that in all knowable ways they would discountenance their use in the community. How could a Good Templar "put to shame" the drink lovers of the community if they voted that they should have a house dedicated to their use for the purpose of drinking in ? It was not for him to be swayed by a lice of policy. He bad in the most solemn manner possible given his pledge to a clear and profound principle, and on tbat solid principle he mast shape his actions. Good TVmplars were pledged to do all they could to promote tbe good of the order to which they belong. What was thero tbat could be named that did so much evil to that order as the Hceu v.d publichouse ? As regarded tho relation of Good Templary to prohibition, the third plank iv the Good Templar's platform was ts follows :—" The absolute prohibition of tile manufacture, importation, and sale of intoxicating liquors, by the will of the people, expressed in due form of law." If they examined their obligation they must observe that each one of them had, by his independent and deliberate act, been divorced from all relation to tho liquor traffic. The Good Templars had accepted as a principle, as a fundamental truth, that alcohol was au evil agent, hurtful to all who used it, and a burden to the State. It therefore found no friendship in him, but a stern foe of uncompromising resolution," to drive him from the community and prohibit his return.

Bro, H. S. Fish said all persons who desired to see a reform lasting iv its character must not ignore the political aspect of the question ; neither should they ignore the large mass of people who thought differently to whit they did. It did not follow that because he aud those who thought with him believed that absolute prohibition was desirable tbat they should wish to rush like a bull at a gate and coercively force their ideas upon others who thought contrary to thorn. As regarded moder»te drinking ho was entirely at, oue with the writer of the paper. He thought that moderate drinking was fche immediate cause of the confirmed drunkard. A Good Templar should not tolerate drink in his ova bou'ie. To do so was somewhat inconsistent with his pledge of abstinence, but he (Bro. Fish) was not prepared to go the length that Bro. Adams went on the question of total prohibition. If he decided to implant his views upon the community as a whole, h*i must go about effecting that end in a politic and moderate way, because to win a battle other than by the moral support and moral cooviction of the people would be to win an illusive fight, and to strengthen their enemies in a future bittle to such an extent that they would overwhelm the prohibitionists entirely. Therefore he said that coercive, measure* of a stringent character were to be deprecated by all true temperance men. They should, on the contrary, rtly upon moral 6uasion in their efforts to effeot this reform rather than upon legislative coercive enactments. He solemnly believed that no legislative enactment would make men as a whole honest or sober. It might have repressive effects, bat it would not entirely stamp out the evil it was desired to stamp out. Unlesß the prohibitionists had a considerable section of the community with them, to pass a repressive law by a bare majority would be to court utter defeat in the future. The point giiued would never be retained, and when once lost would not be regained.

The Chairman called Bro. Fish to order, and pointed out that his paper did not deal with the question of prohibition, but with the principles of Good Templary, and that was what Bhould b9 di.cus.ed.

Bro. Fish said if he understood the English language Bro. Adams distinctly raised the question of Good Templary in connection with prohibition.

The Chairman : Bro. Fish does not understand the English language.

Bro. Fish proceeded to say that if they wished to influence people outside on this question they should not shirk discussion.

The Chairman said they were not looking at the question from an outsider's point of view, but from a Good Templar's point of view.

Bro. Fish explained that he was endeavouring to show the meeting that from a Good Templar's point of view it was necessary to go cautionsly to work.

After some farther discussion, in which Bros. D. C. Cumeron. J. Hatton, Whitehead, and the Revs. Jory aud Kilpatrick took part, it was resolved, oo tho motion of Bro. D. C. Cameron, seconded by Bto. Fish—" That the b;-st thanks of this convention be accorded to Bro. R. N. Adams, G.CT, for his able paper on the * Principles of Good Templary,' and we rejoice to know that the principles of the order, as adopted bf oar Supreme Lodge nearly 50 years ago, are still the leading features of temperance reform throughout the world to-day, aod we heartily command them to the earnest acceptance of all Templar and temperance friends throughout the colony." how to organise a combination fob the general election. Bro. Thorn, G.T., read a paper on the subject of " How to Organise a Grand Combination for the General Election and Licensing ~ Votes." He suggested that the Good Templar lodges should unite with all friends outside and endeavour to carry out the following programme :—To select candidates for the House of Representatives, also a good working committee, a chairman, secretary, and treasurer. To get each lodge to procure a copy of the electoral roll, examine well those on tbe roll, and those who ought to be on, and see that they are put on. To divide the districts into suitable working proportions, each haviug its own Bub-committees and committeo rooms, and having one or two delegates to attend tbe Central Committee To get every member of the lodge to contribute ld per week for six mouths towards carrying out tbe work ; also to solicit contributions from friends outside where possible. After some discussion, the Rev. Bro. Jory moved—" That this convention earnestly recommends the district lodges, or, where none exist, the district deputies, iv each electorAto to originate a scheme of combination by which all societies in sympathy with the temperance movement ms.y be effected for the purpose of securing a united aud powerful vote in favour of candidate, for Parliament who aro prepared to give the people the right to veto the liquor traffic and to vote on the licensing quasfcion—first for prohibition, and then for reduotion." Bro. Clark seconded the motion. Bro. D. C. Cameron moved as an amendment—" That iv view of the approaching general election, prohibition vote, and elections of licensing committees, this convention recommends tbat there be sot up a Temperance Politicul Committee iv each electoral district, ouch committee to bo convened by the district deputy of each district, and to be composed of three delegates from each temper* uce organisation, church, labour, and other organisations in each district, for the purpose of forming v, strong and united combination to secure (1) the election of candidates to tbe House of Ropresentativeswho will give to the people th<> right to prohibit tbo liquor traffic; (2) tho carrying of tho prohibition vote; and (3) fche election of licensing committees who, in the evont of prohibition not being carried, will reduce tho number of licenses iv . each district to the full extent allowed by the amended Alcoholic Liquors Sale and Control Act." Bro.. Scoullar seconded the amendment, which was curried. prohibition in its relation to finance. Big. J. Hatton read a lengthy paper on " Prohibition io its Relation to Finance." In the course of his remarks ho pointed ont that if the two millions spent annually on drink iv the colony were year by year for 26 years put into a public debt extinction fund, and wero loaued out at 5 per cent, pur annum interest, that would give a principal sum of £52,000,000. He went ou to say that money paid into a loan fuiid by yearly instalments with interest and compound interest added at 5 per cent, per annum and allowed to accumulate doubled itself in 26 years; so that the principal sum paid in, in the course of this period, would become £104,000,000. This would enable the National debt to be paid off, besides fche whole debts of all the local bodies in the colony. This would absorb £42,232,888, so that there would be £58.767,112 left for other purposes to wbich it might be applied. On the motion of Bro. Fish, seconded by Bro. Whitehead, a hearty vote of thanks was cooveyed to B>-o. Hatton for his paper. HOW TO mOMOTE a good testplar forward MOVBMKNT. Bro. D. C. Camkron, P.D.0.T., read a paper, written by someone el«e, on the abovo subject. The writer of the paper pointed out that a forward movement might be promoted by—(l) Personal fidelity of members; (2) care to preserve a pure moral tone in the lodge room; (3) an active canvass by members for candidates; (4) an intelligent and honourable opposition to the honor traffic: (&_ publishing

notices of meetings and work done in local newspapers; (6) promoting healthy public meetings ; . (7). circulating 1.0. Q.T. literature ; (8) liberally: supporting a second G.L.V.D. The writer of the paper went on to say that , the convention might express an opinion on the advisability of having a neat card prepared with the obligation printed in good large type, to be signed by each member, to be kept at home, where it might be frequently seen and read, and thus be & reminder of what was required from all who joined a Good Templar lodge. Liberally supporting a second G.L.V.D. might be a proposal requiring some explanation. In September 1594 tho Grand Lodge executive brought Bro. R. Crabb in our midst as G.L.V.D., aud since that date he had been actively engaged in lecturing, organising, and reorganising lodges in all parts of the colony with very great success. The work he had accomplished showed what might be done. Were they able to put another lecturer in the field ? Bro. Crabb had shown, for instance, that a good man waa always a welcome man, and that a good man got a. good man's reward. It wan, however, abont 18 mouths since Bro. Crabb's mission in Dnnedin, and he wag not yet able to reach all the lodges of tho colony. It would be another four months before he had completed hie engagements on the AVest Coast. One man, therefore, was not enough for the work of the order. Tbey should have at least a rousing-up visit once a year, but with ouly one lecturer it would be nearer two years between the visits of their organiser. Now the suggestion was abroad tbat a second lecturer should be employed as the field was so large, and the result of the present- lecturer's work bo encouraging, and the opinion of the convention wan asked upon tha subject.

On the motion of Bro. M. Thomson a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the reader and to the writer of the paper.

On the question of Ute appointment of a second Grand Lodge visiting deputy coming up for consideration.

Bro.- Hatton moved —"That the Grand Lodge be reoommended to proceed to the appointment of a second Grand Lodge visitiug deputy, provided that they are satisfied of the necessity of doing so."

Bro. Mebokb seconded the motion,

Bro. Camkkon said that the membership of tbe order had been increased by 800 daring the year. He attributed that to the work done by Bto. Crabb.

After some discussion the motion was carried.

The suggestion in the paper read by Bro. Cameron, with regard to having a neat card containing the obligation taken by Good Templars printed, was agreed to.

Bro. M. Thomson moved—" Th*t the matter of establishing clas.es for courses of study bo recommended to the lodges of the jurisdiction." The motion was screed to.

Bro. Hatton moved—" That this convention would respectfully appeal to all ' Christian churches to throw their inflaence and support ioto the efforts of the temperance reformers, and to organisations for the purpose of furthering the Legislative interests of our cause, and to forward the prohibition vote at the coming elections, and thus aid in ridding the country of the most malignant evil that disgraces tha land and interferes with every good work " The motion on bsing put to the meeting wag carried.

Ib was resolved on the motion of the Rev. Bro. Jon*, seconded by Bro. Fish—" That the Grand Lodge Executive bo recommendsd to have the papers read by Bros. Adams and Cameron printed for circulation amongst the lodges."

Bro. M'Laren referred to the good work being done iv connection with juvenile lodges in Dunedin, and expressed his regret that a paper had not been read dealing with the subject of juvenile lodges.

The Chairman admitted that very good work was being done in connection with the juvenile lodges, aud said he was sorry that Bro. M'Liren or someone else had not read a paper on the subject!.

Votes of thanks wore accorded to the delegates for their attendance at the meeting, to thi trustees of the AVesleyan Church schoolroom for the use of the room, and to the chairmau foe presiding.

The Chaibman. in acknowledging the vote of thanks to him, said he trusted that that would not bs the last convention they would bave, but that such meetings as they had held that day would be continued for the advantage of their lodges and themselves.

The proceedings terminated at 4.45 p.m,

OPEN-AIR DEMONSTRATION AND PUBLIC MEETING.

An open-air demonstration, followed by a public meeting, was held iv the evening io connection with the convention. About half-put 7, in the vicinity of the Triangle, a procession was formed, in which were represented the Salvation Army, two juvenile temperance lodges, seven lodges of Good Templsrg, the Hanover street feission Band, ths AVomsn's Franchise League, the Christian bands connected with the Moray place and King street Congregational Churches, the Bible Christians, and the Christian Endeavours of the Mornington, the Cargill roid, and the Moray place Trinity AVesleyan Churches, and the Hanover street Band of Hope. A lifeboat figured in the procession, in which some 400 persons too* part, while the juveniles exhibited flags and banners. The roule lay along Princes and Gecrgo streets and by way of Frederick and King streets to tha Tabernacle, where the

wss held. His Worship the Mayor (Mr N. Y. A AVales) presided, and there was a very lurge attendance, the following occupying seats oa the platform : — Messrs W. E*rnshaw, AY. Hutchison, A. Morrison (M.H R.s),- A. Sounders (M.H R. for Selwyn). Revs. C. H. Bradbury, A. Noroh, Messrs AVatt (evangelist), A. C. Begg, J. W. Jago, E. N. Adams, Watlins, J. Hatton, J. Jolly, jun., and A. S. Adams.

Mr AVatt having opened the proceedings with prayer,

The Chaieman, who was received with applause, said Mr Adams was kind enough to e&y he should not iv any way be committed to the opinions expressed by the speakers at the meeting. He, however, had no hesitation in Baying that his sympathies were entirely with the advocates of temperance—(applause),—and he thought that those who knew him ought to know that had been the case ever since ha had been in Dunedin, though he was not one of them. He was what was called a temperance man entirely, though not a teetotaller. He did not know why he shonld tell them this, except to say that he had no desire to be exempted from any responsibility attaching to presiding at that meetihg from a public point of view. One thing he admired in those who were ti.vhting the temperance movement — they hid nothing personal to g.viu by it, but were actuated entirely by philanthropic motives, and so for as he conld s«e, if drink was abolish-d from our country to-morrow the country would be no loser by it.—(AppUuse.) He concluded by calling upon the Ray. Mr Bradbury to address the meeting.

The Rev. Mr Bradbuby said the temperance question, like many other questions, passed through stages — the educative and the legislative. Those who believed in temperance had first to strive to form an opinion, and then they had to try to do their best to transfer that opinion into the law of the land. Those connected with this movement with whom he was acquainted would never beat a retreat. They were prepared to go forward until their triumph should be accomplished.—(Applause.) A great deal had already been achieved in connection with the movement in New Zealand, and they bad now a large measure of popular control over the liquor laws. They had not, it was true, accomplished everything they desired in the legislative line, but they were perfectly certain of accomplishing that, and they had in the meantime done something that would count a good deal in favour of the legislation they desired. They had been " stiffening" tho liquor laws. The policemen were getting sharper eyes ; magistrates were getting keener consciences; and all throughout the colony the prohibitionist, to use a popular phrase, made the publican careful. Then a great many objections urged against the temperance movement were becoming more and more accentuated. There was one objection that he had come across with some frequency of late—th»t was the old question, " What would we do for reveuue if the prohibitionists carried out their aims to-morrow ?" He thought a fear of that kind was perfectly groundless ; but he was prepared to face that, and would say that any colony that had to rely for its existence upon the revenue that wns derived from a traffic of this description had far better cease to bo.— (Applause.) The deepest objeotion probably that could possibly be urged wis* that in pursuing this question of prohibition they were exceeding their rights ; hut it was because he believed it could be based upon the great question of right that he waß seeking to pursue it to the end. He used the word " right " iv the sense which brought it iuto the form of duty and obligation. He went on to say that democracy did not ignore the rights of the individual, but it emphasised this fact—that other mon as well as ourselves had rights, and our rights must be largely curtailed by the rights of others.—(Applause.) Now, it was out of a recognition of this fact that most of the great Bocial laws of which we were so proud had sprung, and to his mind this great qnoition of prohibition sprang out of the principle tbat he had referred to. They had in their midst to - day a groat horrible social scours;, aod they had made up their minds that it Bheuld not exist ono moment longer than was possible, but would fight against it with heart and soul, relying upon the righteousness of their cause and upon the eternal God to help them in their straggle.—(App!an»e.) Mr R. N. Adams annonnccd that Mr AV.*tt, the evangelist of the church in which they were met, had volunteered to preaoh a tnmperance sermon in connection with tho convention on Sunday evening next. The subject of

DRINK SPRING BLOSSOM TEA

the sermon would be "Tho Moral, Social, snd Religious Aspects oi ; tbe Tomperaneo Question, tnd the Sens of Temperance were invited to be present in regalia.

Mr A. Saunders, M.H.R., stated that it was now nearly 6C years since he had made his first speech on the temperance queution— (applause),—and under the oircnrnntancsia he felt that he bad said everything that could pofsibly be swd on tha matter. He thought he would be consulting the feelings of those present if he refrained from delivering a apoech on temperance refoim, but rather to leave that to younger speakers, and, to give them instead something like an idea of what he and other temperauce advocates had gone through.— (Applause.) His memory went bask 65 years to a very interesting occasion, which ought to ba remembered and venerated to a certain extent by all. Is was in 1831 that a number of good men met in tbe city of BriEtol and came to the conclusion that intemperance was becoming such a great and increasing evil in the country that something must be done, or ought to bo done, in the way of strong Christian eEort to put p, stop to it. Having done that, these goad men looked round for a chairman to preside at the temperance meeting. It «•»»- only those who were old enough to remember the early part of the century that could form any idea of what Great Britain—and, aye, the world—, owed to the efforts of what at that time were called Quakers, who were always the first to go to the front on behalf of any question of philanthropy, patriotism, freedom, or religious liberty. In looking round for a chairman, the good men he had referred to decided that there was none more suitable than Samuel Gapper, a wealthy merchant, of Bristol. Samuel Gapper said that he would be glad to be able to assist, but he was not a public speaker—in his society he was not a minister, but only an elder—and so, therefore, he did not think he would make a good chairman. However, he said that his wife was a minister in the Society of Friends—(laughter),—and if she were put in the chair she would make a good president. Those gentlemen were not afraid to pat Martha in tbe chair, and accordingly she was sent for and enrna. In a very modest way she said that she did not believe in women presidents, or even in women speaking, and therefore she would decline to take,the chair ; but if her husband was too modest to fill the position she would sit beside him, and if he required any assistance in the way of speaking, well, then she would help him.—(Laughter and applause.) Tho result was that they had a chairman and a chairwoman, and their presence added greatly to the interest and importance of that meeting. Then came the speakers. People at that time wore inclined to think that the people who were be3t able to speak on temperance matters were the parsons, and they were very much to tho fore in tbeir remarks at that meeting. They got on very woil when they spoke of ths evils of drink and tha ineffectiveness of education in overpowering its influence—that lawyers, doctors, and parsons were just as likely to fall as uneducated people,—but. when they came to decide what moderation was they failed. They could not define what moderation was. After a lot of speaking a genu.man with an illuminated faoa and a long nose pointed out'that they must have some limit, and that tbey should engage to refrain from all ardent spirits and be strictly moderate in the use of wine, beer, and cider.—(Laughter.) The., question wiis, though. What was " strictly moderate " ? After a good deal of beating" sboui; the bush maoy present decided that to be strictly moderate, one should not drink more than a bottle of wine a day.—(L&ughter). This stage having reached Martha said if thoy were going to have a society, which recommended people not to take more than a bottle of wine daily, they had better not have a society at all. That society did not last long. Tha business about tha moderation took the gilt out bf it. He and hi. brother, talking tha matter over, said no one got drunk on spirits, but those round about tbeir neighbours got drnuk on beer, and so they decided to get ou without - either. Then c&me the seven Lancashire men, who came to the conclusion in 1832 that thore was ho use in having anything to say about moderation, bnt that they should go in for absolute abstention from intoxicating drinks. These men went about the country and made a great stir. Alargeuumber of the very best men of England came almost immediately into their ranks', and afterwards the movement proved so succ?,-esful that tbey were able'to pay regular agents to advocate tbe cause. Amongst the first of th*f c were Thomas AVhifetaker and James Teare. The latter, when speaking-of moderation, said it was soraetHng between a glass of bsor and a barrel of baer. The pledge they adoptad wss to abstain from intoxicating liquors except for medicinal purposes and in religious ordinances. Thwe who opposed tbem said if this thing rared people when then were ill how could it be so bad for a person to take it when in good health ; and, again, if it was not wicked to -take it at religious ceremonies, how could it be bad to take it at other times ? That pledge, therefore, was dropped, and it was agreed to drop all intoxicating lkjuors as a beverage. Afterwards some ardent qpirita thought they should do something more, and drew up a pledge engaging to abstain from all intoxicating liquors and discountenance their use throughout the community. Others wished to lengthen and at the same time somewhat moderate this pledge by engaging to abstain from all intoxicating liquors and in every suitable way to discountenance their use. However, the latter pledge was not generally adopted. The speaker, »fter giving some amueiog anecdotes of matters tbat came withiu his personal experieuca »s a temperance worker at Home, went on to speak of the earlier efforts in the temperance reform in New Zealand. He slated that the first R'cbabite tent was formed *t Nelson in 1842. They formed two tents—a male and a female. Ha was chief ruler in the male tent, and Martha Strong h»i>d of the female tent. They were not infallible in those days any more than they were at present, and they made a few mistakes. They had to do something with their moniy in order to meet tbeir engagements, and they decided to let it out in £10 lots.- Presently, a good-looking youog mau jomed the Eoei»"y, and applied for a £10 loan. He took all tho pledges, and from inquiries they made they came to the conclusion that he was a quiet, decent young man, aod they lent him ths £10, but he never came back. In a few weeks they ascertained that with the £10 he bought the biggest copper he could find in Nelson and started a brewery, and that man soon became the head of one of the greatest brewing concerns in New Zealand, and supplied beer all over the colony.

Mr W. Earnshaw said it was all very well to a-ik members to carry oat this law and that law, but unless they had right human relations in their midst all the laws they conld pile upon the Statute Book would not bring about what they desired. In the existence of right human relations lies the true solution of these sooinl reforms. He proceeded to point out that all the labour legislation that was passed would not improve the condition of the working classes unless they eradicated the drinking habits of the people. He then went on to refer to the question of education in connection with that of temperance reform, and alluded to the utterances at the recent Medical Congress. He regretted that at the congress there was only oue medical man who stood true to the question of tamperancj, and he said all honour to Dr Chapplo for it.—(Applause.) The medical profession demauded and got tha flower of our mauhood, aud he asked the medical men iv this city and these who stood by the liquor traffic at the congress to say in what profession were so many slaughtered by drink in proportion to the number of members thereof as in the medical profession ? The large number slaiu by the drink traffic in that profession was absolute testimony that education alone wss not sufficient to stem the ravages of that traffic." How could it be expected then that education weald have any effect in tbe ordinary ranks of life in preventing drunkenness and its attendant evils. It was therefore a disgrace that medical meu should give their support to the liquor traffic when it had baan proved within their own rusks that the temptations that attached to that traffic conld not be withstood—(Applause.) This year, the speaker went on to say, New Zealand would bave to declare squarely what its voice was on this liquor question; it would tmve to determine whether it would oountenance the liquor traffic or bf.uish it from the colony. He counselled that in voting on the question, prohibitionists should vote for redaction and for no license; so that failing prohibition they might get a reduction in the number of licenses.

The Rev. Mr Jory moved, asd Bro. M'Laeen seconded the following resolution :—" In the opinion of this public meeting it is desirable that all societies of whatever name should fall into line aud organise in each electoral district a Temperance Political Committee for the purposo of returning as members fco the House of Representatives at next general election candidates who are prepared to support a measure ftiving the electors tbe right to declare at the billot whether they are in fnvour of continuing or prohibiting the liquor traffic; also, fco secure i a powerful vote at the licensing elections in favour of tho two issues of prohibition and reduction." * The motion was oarried. On the motion of Blr Hatton, seconded by JWr Clarke, it was resolved—"That it is tha opinioa of this pnblic meeting that; if the members of churches wonld combine with other organisations for the suppression of the liquet traffic, by demanding from parliamentary candidates nt the coming general elections a pledge to support a prohibition measure for the colony, such a measure would be passed by the next House."

On the motion of Mr R. N. Adams, votes of thanks to th* mayor for prs-sidiug, to the speakers, and to tho Tabernacle authorities for allowing the use of the building, was carried.

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