THE PROHIBITION PLATFORM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 25 February 1892, Page 11

THE PROHIBITION PLATFORM.

At a Liquor Traffic Reform Conference at Wellington on the 17th insfc., at which a number of leading citizens were present, Sir "William Fox presiding, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :—: —

1. This conference regards with profound gratification the public awakening which has taken place as to the urgent need of radical reform in respect of the liquor traffic, as indicated by the changed attitude of the press, the results of prohibition contests last year in many parts of tho colony, and the growing recognition of the fact expressed in the resolution of the late House of Representatives, that the enormous expenditure on intoxicating drinks in this colony "contributes largely to the existing depression, adds materially to crime and to poverty, ami reduces the capital available for reproductive industries." 2. This conference is convinced that the liquor reform party in the country, including thousands not identified with any temperance organisation, and people of every religious faith and political creed, is now sufficiently numerous, if united, to present an irresistible demand for a legislative enactment to confer upon centres and separate areas of population in the colony the power to locally veto the liquor traffic at the ballot box, and urges that the friends of this reform throughout the country give their support to no representative of any political party to which they may happen to belong unless this reform be given a chief place in his political programme ; and urges the liquor reform party to present the stoutest resistance to any professed friends of the cause, or others, who would blackmail the public in the interest of the liquor monopolists by the lcgi.-lative creation of claims for compensation which are not recognised by the existing law. 3. As this movement specially contemplates the general welfare and material prosperity of the masses, to which the liquor traffic is the chief obstruction, this conference appeals to all labour associations to give their support to no labour representative who docs not cordially pledge himself to this reform ; and, irrespective- of political parties, appeals to the New Zealand Alliance to be prepared to suggest a candidate on local veto lines to any constituency, or party in a constituency, where in any parliamentary contest the claims of this reform are not satisfactorily represented in the candidature. •1. This conference also appeals to the New Zealand Alliance to bring in a local veto bill in tho next session of Parliament, and appeald to the country to give it cordial support.