NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6186, 14 March 1888, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

The Prohibition Question. [Special to the "Stab."] AUCKLAND, Maech 14. In the annual report of the New Zealand Alliance submitted at the meeting yesterday, reference was made to the fact that in the late election questions had been put to candidates for Parliamentary honours. By this means uniformity of demand in the matter of legislation in relation to the liquor traffic was observed towards all candidates. ■ The replies given were necessarily specific, the ambiguous generalities so often indulged in by seekers of honours in prospective being rendered unavailing. Lastly, but most important, their maximum of actual strength in Parliament had been for the first time ascertained. As was to be expected, the replies received from candidates were of a varying character. Of those elected, twenty-four adopted the programme of the right of the people ' to prohibit without compensation, in its entirety; thirty-three agreed in giving power to prohibit, but insisted upon compensation ; whilst fourteen others, although agreeing to prohibition without compensation as a rule, thought there might arise some cases in which a limited degree of compensation might be claimed in equity. A further number (seven) could not accept the principle of prohibition at all, deeming the liquor traffic a necessity for colonists. The session was not considered a favourable opportunity to bring forward a prohibition policy, but it was thought something could be done in the coming session. JTSE PSXBS ABBOCIATIOW.] The second annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance was held yesterday in the V.M.C.A.. rooms, Sir W. Fox presiding. The annual report and balance-sheet was adopted. The income for the year was .£712, and £6 credit balance remains. The subscribers to the Alliance number 3000. .Resolutions were passed reaffirming the platform of the Alliance, endorsing complete prohibition of the liquor traffic, and condemning Club licensing. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : — President, Sir William Fox 5 Vice-Presidents, Mr J. A. D. Adams (Port Chalmers). Sir H. Atkinson (New Plymouth), Mr Thomas Dick (Dunedin), Mr Eobert Clephane (Christchurch), Archdeacon Dudley (Bangiora), Mr Thomas Field (Nelson), Mr James Fulton, M.H.R. (West Taieri), Mr F. H. Fraser (Wellington), Mr D. Goldie, M.H.R. and Mr J. Harding (Hawke's Bay), Mr E. Hobb3, M.H.E. and Hori Eopihia (Hawke's Bay), Mr E. C. Hughes (New Plymouth), Rev F. W. Isitt (Invercargill), Rev G. M. Isitt (Sydenham), Mr John Jago (Dunedin), Mr W. Kerr (Auckland), Mr J. Lamb (Auckland), Mr J. Lennie (Ihvercargill), Mr T. M. Lane (Whangaroa), Mr R. Monk, M.H.E. and Mr E. Neal (Auckland), Mr J. Newman (Auckland), Mr E. O'Key (New Plymouth), Eev W. Oliver (Nelson), Rev. A. Reid (Auckland), Mr A. Rennie, J.P. (Dunedin), Mr D. Seth-Smith (Oamaru), Sir E. Stout (Dunedin), Eev E. Waddell (Dunedin) ; Executive Committee —Messrs C. J. Ambury, J. Buchanan, A. Cox, J- Elken, G. Gregory, H. li. Bailey, R. J. Robert, W. H. Smith, W. J. Speight, J. Waymouth, P. H. Upton, E. Withy, M.H.E. ; Chairman of Executive Committee, Sir W. Fox ; Treasurer, Mr Withy. Hon Secretary, Mr J. Newman ; Organising Agent, Mr T. W. Glover j General Secretary, Mr H. F. Field. A public meeting was held in the evening, but was not largely attended. The most important resolution was as follows : That whereas the widespread depression in business thoughout the Colony has resulted in forced idleness and severe want among very many sections of the community, hns necessitated wholesale 'retrenchment in our public affairs, and caused peapl's generally to enquire regarding tJae prospects of the future, the time has now fully arrived for Parliament to seriously consider the bearing trf the .drink problem in its relation to Colonial finance, and to decide how far the country can with safety continue to give Jegisla,tjve sanction to draw its main revenue from a traffic which, in its varied ramifications, presses more hardly upon the people than the whole weight of the public debt."