MODERATE LEAGUE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 259, 5 December 1914, Page 3

MODERATE LEAGUE.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS CARRIED. The Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Moderate League was opened at the League's offices, Panama Street, on November 28. Mr A. A. S. Monteath presided, and the following delegates were present: Auckland, William Thorne (president), F. Louis Armitage, W. Gorrie; Napier, H. B. Luslc (president), W. P. Mitchell; Manawatu, E. J. Armstrong (president);. Wanganui, Dr H. H. Hatherley (president), T. B. Slipper; Christchurch, Alex. Boyle (president) ; South Canterbury, G-. S, Cray (president); Otago, J. H. Thompson; Hamilton, M. Drake; Marlborough, M. W. Armstrong; Motueka, O. C. Wilkinson; Wellington, J. B. Harcourt, F. H. Brodrick, J. H. Owen, E. B. Bristow, D. F. Skinner, J. F. Atkins, W. G. Talbot. The Dominion secretary, Mr E. A, Armstrong, was also in attendance, and submitted a report that the league was established on a firm footing in all the important centres throughout the Dominion. The several branches report a very keen interest on the part of the inoderate public and a daily increasing membership. After a general discussion of the various remits submitted by the branches, the conference adopted the following resolutions:- — "PROHIBITION AND POLITICS. That this conference of delegates of the New Zealand Moderate League, representing the organised moderate public throughout the Dominion, expresses its strong disapproval of the pledging of Parliamentary candidates to specific objectives, and the attempt to decide Parliamentary elections on single issues, as tending to. the prejudicing of legislative measures and the defeat of the true functions of Parliament.

Therefore, in spite of the fact" that such pledges have been extracted from some candidates by the Prohibition Party to unjustly reduce the majority necessary to carry No-License and National Prohibition from '6O to 55 per cent., the league, while firmly maintaining its claim to the 60-40 proportion, recommends the moderate electors to record their votes for candidate according to their true political qualifications irrespective of this question, and hereby gives formal notice to all candidates and political parties that it considers such specific preelection pledges ultra vires, and declines to recognise same as binding upon those elected to represent, all classes of the community, and thai it will hold all members of the new Parliament responsible for the conservation of the moderates' rights and personal liberties. That as many candidates have been forced and misled into this, pledge by the aggressive and active organisation of the Prohibition Party, profiting by the past apathy of the Moderate section and basing their claims, upon the votes recorded, in past year for NoLicense and Prohibition, the Moderate electors are strongly urged to voice their protest against this insidious influence upon political life and the Legislature by soundly defeating National Prohibition and No-License at the coming poll.

THE LEAGUE'S GENERAL ATTITUDE FOR THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION.

That this conference of delegates of the New Zealand Moderate League,, representing the organised moderate public throughout the Dominion, having given full and careful thought to the subject, resolves: — 1. That the time has come when those holding moderate views on the liquor question should indicate to the electors the proper course to pursue between the waning of opposing extreme factions. 2. That while those who study the, human body in health and disease are united in the condemnation of .the abuse of alcohol, its moderate use is the subject of divergence of opinion. That as the result of the vast amount of scientific research that has been earned out regarding the effects of- alcohol on the human body, there is cogent evidence in support of its moderate use, while no satisfactory evidence has been put forward as to its harmful effects when used in moderation.

~• ;>. That where coercive legislation has been tried it has failed to advance the cause of true temperance, arousing the passionate resistance of the boerced, in whom the natural desire for alcohol has been stimulated, by the hatred of unwarranted interference with liberty, and has, therefore, led to smuggling, illicit manufacture, and trading, tending to hypocrisy and to the moral deterioration of the people.

4. That in these circumstances there is no warrant for interference by coercive legislation with the moderate use of alcohol ■which in mankind is, and has been, instinctive, practised throughout historic times and sanctioned by Christian religion. 5. That, least of all, is there warrant for such coercive legislation in New Zealand, which leads the civilised world in moderation, notwithstanding the wealth of its inhabitants and the consequent opportunity for indulgence. 6. That, the cause of true temperance can be advanced in two ways: (a) By the cultivation of public opinion through education, the setting up of a true code of temperance, aud the dissemination of the truth about alcohol and its abuse, in place of the exaggerations and misstatements frequently used. (b) By the vigilant employment of all proper means to protect the public from any attempt by self-interested manufacturers or traders in alcoholic drinks to increase their profits by the promotion of excess or the sale of harmful compounds, and to promote the elimination of abuses.

7. That to this end it is the intention of the league to advocate the following reforms: (a) That the present system of licensing committees be discontinued, and that there be set up a special Government department, controlling such district boards as may be necessary, to supervise the manufacture and sale of alcoholic liquors and all matters in connection with tho administration of the laws relating thereto, (b) The establishment by the Government of a standard basis of quality for all liquors imported and manufactured, in bond or otherwise, and the subsequent rigid examination of same in both wholesale and retail houses under a systematic scheme. (c)The District Boards to be appointed under clause (a) hereof to investigate all matters relating to the granting of licenses covering the fitness of the applicant, the terms under which the applicant is to occupy licensed premises, viz.: rent, payment for goodwill, payment for. furniture and fittings and stock-in-trade, and full knowledge of all -restrictions to be imposed directly or indirectly by any interested" party, with right of board to refuse to grant any license

when satisfied that the terms and conditions oil entry or renewal are prejudicial to the proper fulfilment of the law. (d) Sales of liquor for consumption off the premises to be restricted to bottle stores, such bottle stores to be closed earlier than the bars. All vessels containing such liquor to bear the stamp of vendor, (e) The penalties for allowing drunkenness on the premises, and for illegal trading and all abuses of license, to be made heavier and more strictly enforced. (8) That this conference pledges the New Zealand Moderate League to do everything in its power to carry out the fundamental principle of the moderate creed —that all virtue lies between two extremes —and to promote the removal of abuses and the remedy of evils hitherto associated with the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcoholic, beverages by such legislative measures as may be found necessary, short of direct interference with the rights- of individual members of a democratic community to control their social habits and conduct so long as they do not infringe the rights and liberties of other*.

(9) That this conference, realising that there is imminent danger of prohibition being carried by a small majority of those who vote, representing in effect an actual minority of the electors, appeals to the general body of the p-oople to oppose the prohibition movement and to defeat the demand for No-license and national prohibition at the forthcoming elections. THE LOCAL NO-LICENSE ISSUE.

That this conference is of opinion that the local No-license issue should be abrogated and removed from the ballot paper before 1917, - as it is similarly unjust in principle to the "Reduction" issue recently eliminated, containing no provisions for the reduction of intemperance, but being most evil in effect, as tending to the encouragement of drinking by minors, the consumption of ardent spirits in large quantities, and the illicit procuration and trading in liquor with all its unwholesome surroundings and consequent demoralisation. SUBSTITUTE SYSTEMS. That in the opinion of this conference immediate steps should be taken to improve the present system of private ownership of licensed houses, both "by the internal reform of the trade itself and by the amendment Of governing legislation, but having in view the possible failure of such attempts at improvement, the Government should be requested to appoint au impartial boarYl to undertake inquiries into such alternative systems are: (1) The establishment of public . trusts with limitation of proiits; (2) municipal control; ('•>) State And that all possible information ana" data be collected forthwith to enable." concrete proposals to be placed before Parliament should it be found advisable • and , in the best interests of the commuiiitv.

FREQUENCY OF LICENSING POLLS.

That in view, of the present insecurity of tenure of licenses, leading to abuses caused by the consequent need for making profits rapidly, and in view of the great political disturbance caused by the present frequency of licensing polls, this conference is of the opinion that a referendum on the following lines be submitted to the people "That the licensing elections be held once iu every six years." '.... A TEMPERANCE CODE.

That it bo a recommendation to the branches that special "literature" committees be set up for the purpose of preparing matter suitable for - the inculcation of the principles of true temperance, the dissemination of truths about alcohol, and the promulgation of a Moderates' code; all suggestions to be forwarded in duplicate to the central executive for approval before publication.

Thc following were appointed a legislative and advisory board:—Messrs A. A. S.. Menteath, ." J. B. Harcourt, J. F. Atkins, W. Perrv, W. •E. Pearson, F. 11. Brodrick, J. H. Owen, E. Mace, I). F. Skinner, E. B. Bristow, and also to'act as the central executive for the Dominion.

A vote of thanks to the president was proposed by Mr Armitage, who, on behalf of the visiting delegates, expressed the gratitude felt by them for the splendid work done by the Wellington committee in general and Mr Menteath in particular. (Published by arrangement.)