TEMPERANCE CONVENTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12992, 6 June 1904, Page 4 (Supplement)

TEMPERANCE CONVENTIONS.

o THE NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE. CHRISTCHURCII, Juno 3. At the meeting of the New Zealand Alliance to-day Mr A. S. Attorns was reelected president. Vice-presidents were elected as follows: J. A. D. Adams IDlindin), W. S. Allen lAnnandalc), .Mrs A. 'V. Atkinson (Wellington), W. U. Hassitt (Wanganui), .1. S. Baxter (Jnvercar gi.|, A. I'. Broad (Dunedin), T. Buxton i |.i.i.iarewa}, (!. Oanou (\Vuugbiiui), .!. | l'cue. ml (Aueklaml), .1 W. Curie (Hal-: cluthu), (,'. Dallastou (Wellington), ,1. Dawson (Wellington), .I. Uoiill (Hulls), W. A. Evans (WYhingtoii), I". IA. eraser, M.L.C. I (Wellington), C. H. (tarland '(C'hrisichnrch), A. (loidw (Aiickiund), Aivhdccum tjinee (Blenheim), T. U. Hammond (Patea), A. tinhy (Wellington), tho Kev. He Bercit Hove'.l, Dean of Wiapu (Napier), It. V. Hughes (New Plymouth), b. Hutson. (Stratford), F, W. isitt (Wellington), L.,M. Isitt (Ohrisichui'ch), .1. \V .logo (I)imedui), ['. W. .lanes (t'eildiiig). W. Ken- (Aimhind), Dr Knight (Auckland), ,1. Knott (Cliristchure)i), T. M. Laiits (Whangarca), .1. Luinie- (fnvcrea-giil), 11. M'Naii (Mataurn), Okev (New Plymouth), W. (J. Uliver (Wellington), Mrs Ostler (Levm), B. (i. Kdbbins (Hiiwern), . G. W. Smith (Christeliurcli), W. Seth-Smilh (Xgapara). W. L. Smith (Auckland), S. it. Spc-dding (Auckland), .1. Stubbs (Palinerston North), ii. 11. Tay.or (Thamcsi, 1. K Tayiur (Chrisu-hmeh), Rev. Dr It. Wadddl (Dunedin), S. B. White (New riymouHj), Kev. Yv. .1. Williams (Auckland). The. following resolutions were carried: — "That this convention recommends tliat active organisation'bo created by the party in every electorate in the colony to assist candidates favouralilo to. our- cause, and in every case where such candidates are not available to assist in Drocuring same." "That the Alliance inform the licensing committees of, Newton and Bruco that it undertakes to pay the costs of litigation in the law courts in relation to tho proceedings to test tho rights of the people- in Newtown and Bruce, and that, the party will vigorously protest against any claim for compensation to licensees or others being entertained by the House or Government. That no appeal for a new poll bo' made for Nowtovru and Bruce. That an urgent demand lie jnado that a bill bo passed to remedy the- defects of the law in relation to polls, ami that a bill be prepared and' introduced on tho iir't day of tho session, tho preparation ol tho bill to he left'to the- president and Mr A. R. Atkinson.". ■ , , „ ..,-.' "Tliat the- question of further logisla.ion be left to the executive. ' . . "That the question of establishing temperance clubs in all centres of New Zealand where practicable as % counter-attraction to hotels be left- to the executive of the Alliance." ' .. , "That this convention desires to draw tho attention of the electors of the colony and of members of the House of Representatives to tho fact that in Tmigitororia (Auckland), in Kaiwarra (Wellington), Oraldme, and other places in tho colony, magistrates have, in cases against licensees in which endorsement would follow '. a conviction, granted adjournments to enable transfers of the licenses -to be arranged for, and committees have sanctioned such transfers, and the provisions of .the law have thus been improperly evaded under judicial sanction. 11l some of these-cases grave public scandals havo been caused, notably in Taiigiteroria, whore it waa found that a drunken man had been supplied with liquor and was drowned in consequence,'and where the owner of tho house escaped all penalty because Mr Hutchison, S.M., granted a transfer of the license prior to the date at which the former licensee was convicted and fined for a triple offence. This convention protests against special protection being thus accorded to lawless traders, and demands that the law as to endorsements of licenses for wrongdoing bo enforced, without respect to persons and without fear' -or favour." " Th'at this annual meeting of members of the New Zealand Alliance expresses its conviction that it is impossible to-exaggovate tho importance of tho safe custody of ballot papers, both before and after a poll,

especially those connected v/ith tho local option poll. It is convinced that the grossest. carelessness was. displayed in this matter by many -Government officials throughout, the- colony, and expresses its regret and indignation that, although the sworn evidence: of the Rev. E. AValkcr shoY/cd that certain unused and itnusiiable ballot papers were asked for by the Alliance on December 29, 1902,- at his request, and for a perfectly • innocent purpose, certain members bf-tho.A to L Parliamentary Publie Petitions Committee showed an absolute want of either common honesty or common intelligence in recording ' their conviction that the papers asked for on December 29 were wanted for the purpose of upsetting polls Hint could not hnvo-beeii petitioned against on any-'date later than December 9. Jt respectfully requests the House of Heprefientatives at its next session to order that a iiniliiig ; so discreditable .to its'members shall be expunged from its records."

NO-LICENSE CONVENTION'. AUCKLAND, .Time .5. The No-license Convention, held to-day, was attended by 200 delegates of the A nek land Province.' 'Resolutions were passed that a noil should not be declared void unless it "was proved that the result does not express (lie will of the elwlovs, and a new ■poll should be taken where tho former poll is declared void; that officers committing or pmmitting n breach of the law in tho conduct, of polls should be made directly responsible and'subjected to a substantial penalty; that provision should bo made for "a competent court to hear the petition. The convention pledged itself to oppose candidates for Parliament not subscribing to the above revolutions, anil they also passed a resolution urging Maoris to be given a free hand to-stamp mit tho sly Ki'iaj-s'eJlmg-in the Native districts; further, that the powers of the, Maori Council.-, should 1)0 extended in this direction. It was resolved that the attention of the Government be called to the infraction of the section of .tho act providing for the. destruction n! local option ballot papers afta'i" the lapse of-six months; that a system of lantern slide temperance lectures ho inaugurated; that a isyjtenwtic collection of subscriptions towards defraying expenses of next'local option poll ho undertaken. Tho convention. resolved to undertake to immediately rniso within the Auckland Province one-fourth of the costs of the Privy Council appeal ease, and on a collection being taken up the sum of £102 16s. was subscribed in the room. A motion affirming the principle of a bare majority was postponed .for .12 months!