PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2251, 22 April 1897, Page 22

PROHIBITION CONVENTION.

OTAGO PROHIBITION COUNCIL.

The annual convention of delegates from churches and temperance societies in Ofcago, and other friends of temperance was held in the Y. W.C.A. Rooms on Friday forenoon, and was attended by about 50 persons. Mr A. S. Adams (president) occupied the chair.

The Chairman, having welcomed the delegates, stated that that was only a formal business session and a large attendance was nob expected, but from the replies which had been received to invitations the convention promised to be as well attended aud to produce as good results *sthe convention of lsiab year produced, A departure bad been made this year in calling a South Island convention in order that a prompt and influential expression of opinion might be given as to future plans of work. The Chairman then read and moved the adoption of the annual report of the executive, which was in the following terms :—: — The past year has been one of stirring activity and great events. Wo have passed through the crisis of a general election and the taking of the local option poll ; and while we cannot record any results in the carrying of no licence, we have the satisfaction of knowing that the vote for that issue has iucreased enormously throughout the colony, and the parliamentary election has, we believe, resulted in maintaining our position in tbe House. When our last report was presented to you, our president, in opening the proceedings, said that " the main question in the past had been organisation, and more in that direction was still needed. The present was the most important crisis in our movement. Our hopes were high for tho opening century." Since then much has been attempted, and something done, in the matter of organisation, but we are still far from our ideal. Our hopes ate still high for the opening century, and with some reason.

The story of the year would be interesting if it could be laid before you in detail. As the weeks and months rolled on, bringing ever nearer the.gtmeral election and local option poll, the work and interest became intense.

A far-reaching crusade was undertaken, touching our district at many aud widely distant points. Members of your council, with many other friends, visited the various centres, meetings were held iv 44 places throughout the district, and constant work was maintained iv the city and. Buburbs.

"The trade" were also very active, ..conscious that the public mind was strongly exercised, and that ths trade itself was a discredited factor in political and social life. Recourse was bad to strategy, and "liberty leagues," manned and omcered and supported mainly by the Liquor party, were formed, under cover of which organisation the cry of "Liberty" was raised from platform and press. We have long desired to , force our opponents into the open and poll tbeii full strength, and this has now been done. Tho newspapers informed tne world -that "the people had risen in their might and crushed the prohibition heresy " ; but the exercise of a littla intelligence makes it clear that this has not happened yet. We have not, indeed, taken the entrenchments of the foe, but we are still on the field of battle, and that with greatly increased force.

Tbree years ago we polled 48,000 votes for prohibition, and were told that we had brought up our last man. In December last we polled 9.5.000 votes. This is a great advance. When it is remembered that the full number of voters in New Zealand is 300,000, and the number expected to vote at any election is 250,000, a vote for prohibition of 100,000, under all the disadvantages of l«8t year's licensing poll, is a public declaration of a very weighty character indeed. It brings into prominence the queation of colonial prohibition as against local efforts. This is a question which you will be asked to consider at this convention.

To turn now to some of the details of the past year's struggle, we recall :--

1. The Trouble about the Bottle Licenses.— At the time of the lant convention it was understood all rounu that the bottle licenses would cease in June last; but by some legal astuteness a flaw in the wording of the act was so manipulated that, notwithstanding the manifest intention of the Legislature, the Supreme Court ruled that existing bottle licenses must go on. 2. .parliamentary Action. — A bill was introduce? into the Lower House by the Hon. the Premier which contained the two points rejected by the Legislative Council the previous year— namely, the control of clubs and the vote for colonial prohibition. Tne bill also contained some valuable clauses concerning bottle licenses and the issue of wholesa'c licenses at Clutha. After a considerable amount of difficulty the bill passed the Lower House, but in such "a fashion that no one was surprised that it whs thrown out by the Council without any ceremony. It is very avident that we have still work to do in Parliament. This "burning question" will never be settled until it is settled right. Another bill must be introduced this coming session, we hope, by the Government. Ou this point, too, the convention will be asked to exp'e^s its opinions. The new Pailiamenr elected last December presents to us some new faces. tSome bitter enemies failed to secure re-election and some new friends of ours are there to take up the ■work of some of our friends whose absence we deeply regret.

3. During the year a. very large quantity of temperance literature has been distributed. .Funds for this purpose and for the inevitably large expenditure on the election campaign have come in well, as our treasurer will report to you in detail.

4. A useful step towards a compleler organisation of our forces has been taken in the establishment at Wellington of a Colonial Prohibition Council. It is very evident that a guerilla warfare is of but little use against an opponent so strongly entrenched as the lfquor trade is in ve-ted interests. We must learn to act and vote a.s one man, or we sball inevitably be beaten in detail. We deplore the loss of our friend and fellow-worker, the Rev. P. K. Monro, who was suddenly stricken down U3t month. lie was universally l>4oved, and his memory will renuip ever grecu. lie was one of God's gentlemen : kindly, genial, warmiieartsd, and true. His services to the cause were invaluable. We h xvc nee.d to be the more eai aest now that they are lost to us. Our outlook now in neither dark nor bright. It is a working day. Lst us gii dup our loins for the "Ir»3\

The old year's long campaign is o'er, Behold a new begun, Not yet is closed the holy war, Not yet the triumph won. Out of its still and deep repose We hear the old year say : "G-j forth a train to meet your foes, Ye children of the day ! " For right is rieht sine God is God, And right the day must win ; To doubt would be disloyalty, To falter would be sin. The Rev. It Tayloh seconded the motion, ■which was carried unanimoußly 0

The Treasurer (Mr A. C. B-oadj submitted a balance sheet showing th .. , including a, balance brought forwavd of £3 6s 10J, the receipts for the past year were £251- 13* 4-d aud the expenditure amounted to £252 Bs, leaving a credit balance in hand of £2 5i 4d.

On the motion of Mr Dash, seconded by ths Rsv. J. D. Jorjt, the balance shest was unanimously adopted.

The election of office-bearers was then proceeded with and resulted ai follows:—President, Mr A. S. Adams (unanimously re-elected) ; hon. secretaries — the Rev. J. T. Hinton, Messrs Watkins and Hilliker ; hon. treasurer, Mr A. C. Broad (unanimously re-elected) ; committee — Mesdames Don and Fiuia}', the Rev. T. N. Griffin. Messrs A. C. Bigtc, Andrew Thomson, F. Graham, J. Connor, J. Wardell, John Begg, James Arthur, William Wardrop, J. Wil«ou. J. W Jago, and J Rhcd- s.

On the motion of Mr A. S. Malcolm, seconded by Mr J. W. Parkinson, a hearty vor.o of thanks was accorded to the ritiring officers and members of the exesu'iv?