ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE X.Z. ALLIANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13631, 28 June 1906, Page 10

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE X.Z. ALLIANCE.

Tlic animal convention of die Now Zealand Alliance for - tho Abolition of the Liquor Traffic was held at Auckland on the 13th and 14th inst. Owing to the press of matter on the v.'ires in connection with the death of the laie Premier the various decisions pf lite coi'lfercitce were not sent, on.' .The outstanding'.business was as follows:— After passing a motion iof sympathy with Ml* Seddon's family it was resolved— "That a deputation wait upon tho Act-ins-Premier to urge, strong reasons against granting any new dub charters, and in tho event, of licensing legislation, to make, increase of club charters subject to the sanio cotidilions ' as increase of licenses." Considerable indignation was expressed by tho representatives of electorates that hadcome very near carrying no-license by a threefifths majority at having a club license thrivst upon them against the wishes of tho great majority of the residents. It was further resolwd—"That this convention respectfully and urgently appeals to tho Liberal Administration of the United Kingdom to pltt a speedy end to the cultivation, manufacture, and traffic iu opium as a source of Indian revenue, with its disastrous results to the Chinese and multitudes of our fellow-subjects in Britain's Eastern dependencies; also to releaso China front her obligations under tho opium treaties, and so remove a foul blot from the- escutcheon of" the Empire." After the report and balance sheet had been read and'adopted 111' A. S. Adams was. re-elected, "resident for tho fifth year in succession with much enthusiasm. '(Mr Adanis was prevented from journeying to Auckland by press of professional duties in Dutiedin.) The framing of a new constitution for the New Zealand Alliance was then entered upon, and eventually plans were completed which will mate the annual parliament of the No-licens-e party thoroughly and equally representative of .ajl parts of New Zealaud. It having long meen felt that the education of tho individual' necessity for total übstmencc was not being pressed as it should be, "tho following was deuided:— "That for the purpose of educational work on. total abstinence principles, more particularly amongst the .young, it is decided that an agent or agents be employed whose first duty it shall'be to visit schools and give lectures or instruction to tho scholars on the nature of ji.cohol and its clfccts on the human body." Also—•" That the alliance commits itscif definitely to a, pledge-taking, propaganda involving the permanent employment of speakers to conduct temporally missions throughout this co.ony." Ttio names of saveral .men prominent in the total abstinence movement; in (ireac Britain, were . mentioned, and it. was resolved to communicate with them. A motion—"That hygiene and scientific temperance instruction be made by law a compulsory class, subject in public schools' in all standards with graded books in tho hands of children, from Standard IV and upwards "—was passed unanimously, reference being, made by many to the excellent instruction- gjven in this manner in tho United States and the .beneficial results oil the national life.

_ A motion* by Mr William Richardson— " That a, separate Prohibition parly bo now formed"—was defeated by a "largo majority. _ flio political situation was thoroughly discussed, and a dra.lt emergency programme adopted in case of any attempt at alteration, of the existing law, Proposals shadowing forth a definite advance in policy wore considered, and 'remitted to the various electorate leagues for full discussion and consideration. The convention was very fully-attended, there beingatlimcs fully 250 delegates present from all parts of Xow Zealand, and it is evident, that 4ho No-licenso party is closing in. it? ranks entering on the next campaign as full of fight-, if not more so, than at any previous period of its career.