CANTERBURY PROHIBITION COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5664, 8 September 1896, Page 4

CANTERBURY PROHIBITION COUNCIL.

: Since the annual meeting of this Council in April last, the Executive Committee has held six meetings, which have > been well attended by representatives from Kaiapoi, Ashburton, Willowby, Rangiora, Linwood, Sydenham, Richmond, Dunsandel, Temuka, Papanui, Greendale and Christchurch. At these meetings important business, affecting the legislative and moral work of the Prohibition Party in all parts of the province, has been transacted and latterly most gratifying reports have been received from several electorates, in which the organisation suggested at the annual Council has been carried out. A meeting of the Committee was held on Saturday afternoon last in the Prohibitionist office, and was well attended by representatives from town and country electorates. The Rev John Dawson, vice-president, occupied the chair. The present legislative position was carefully considered, and the following resolution carried:— "That this Executive representing the Prohibition Party in Canterbury protests against the delay on the part of the Government in passing the Licensing Amendment Bill into law, and urges those members of the House of Representatives who are pledged to give a majority of the people power of national option and control of clubs to refuse to allow the House to adjourn until this legislation is passed." It was reported that the Rev W. Woollass, Primitive Methodist minister, and president of the Southland Council, had been set apart for the months preceding the election, to devote all his time to the advocacy of prohibition in the Southland province. The Executive considered the example of the Southland Council, and the best means to, be adopted to cope with . the requests for addresses in this province. Several prominent speakers intimated their willingness to devote a considerable portion of their time to this work, and ultimately a sub-committee was appointed to prepare a plan of meetings and speakers for various parts of the province. The prevalence of the crime of perjury in liquor cases was discussed, and the following resolution passed : — " That this Executive' draws the attention of the Minister of Justice to the prevalence of the crime of perjury in our Courts of Justice in connection with licensing law cases, as evidenced by the strictures of the Bench at Christchurch, Clutha, Southland and elsewhere, and protests against the failure of the authorities to prosecute offenders in the public interests." A quantity of routine business was also dealt with.