NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13752, 18 June 1913, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

ANNUAL CONVENTION.

GATHERING IN CHRISTOHURCH

[United Press Association.]

Ghrlstohuroh, June 17. There waß a largo gathering of delegates representing every electorate in New Zealand in the hall of tho Y.M. C.A. this morning, when the . annual Dominion Convention of the" New Zoalaud Alliance was opened. Mr. "VYosloy Spragg, president, occupied the chair. The delegates were welcomed by tho Mayor (Mr. H. Ho.land) who expressed his appreciation of the spirit and purpose of the movement. In his address the president declared that this was the most important convention in tho history of the movement. The party had to concentrate its efforts on tho settlement-of the majority issue, and it should not turnback until tho question had been settled. No other movement, however it might appeal to them, should be allowed to turn them from the work they had in hand. -:"_ A resolution was carried expressing the sympathy of the convention with those workers "who were absent by reason of sickness, special reference being made to tho Rev. I<\ W. Isitt. The secretary (Rev. J. Dawson) read 'the annual report of the Alliance. It referred to matters of interest to the Alliance that had come before Parliament last session. During the year the "democratic vote", campaign had been launched, members of the party being atsked to sign a pledge that, regardless of political parties they would v<>to tor no candidate Who would not unciortake to support the reduction or abolition of tho handicap involved, in the majority provision in tho present licensing law. The balance sheet showed that tho income of the Alliance had boon £703 from subscriptions, £205 from donations and £159 from other sources; and the expenditure had been £46 m excess of tho income.