NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 218, 18 August 1913, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting. Ihe twenty-seventh annual meeting of the N.Z. Alliance was held in Christchurch last month. Although the Convention sat only on June 17, IS, and 19, the proceedings were really opened on Sunday, June 15, when special services were held in many of the churches, and public meetings in the afternoon and evening. On Monday a Young People’s Demonstration was held in the gal lery. The Convention opened its sittings on Tuesday morning. Mr Wesley Spragg, the President, occupied the chair. The discussions at all the sessions were chiefly concerned with the Democratic Vote Campaign and the demand for a reduction of the three-fifths handicap. The following resolutions were carried: — 4 * That this Convention reaffirms the demand of the Temperance party for the simple majority as the only just basis for the settlement of the liquor question”; and “That the members of this Convention heartily approve and endorse the decision of the last Dominion Convention regarding the establishment of the Democratic N ote Campaign, and undertake to do their utmost to further its interests.” It was also decided that the question of platform workers for 1914 should be left to the Kxecutivc, with a recommendation that special consideration should be given to possible New Zealand workers. A further resolution, that steps be taken to provide that hotel bars shall close at 1 p.m. on the half-holiday, was carried. Mr Wesley Spragg was re-elected President, the delegates cheering enthusiastically.

On Wednesday night, the N.Z. Alliance gave a banquet to celebrate the jjth anniversary, and Mrs Wesley Spragg, wife of the President, entertained a large gathering of ladies at a conversazione. The arrangements were made by the Christchurch W.C.T.I*., and in the absence of Mrs Spragg, the guests were received by Mrs Holland, the Mayoress, and Mrs McCombs, President of the W.C.T.I A most enjoyable evening was spent. The opportunity was taken to hr in g the work of the W.C.T.I". before the visitors, the various aspects of the

work being dealt with by Misses Roberts, M. S. Powell, N.Z. Organiser, and K. Atkinson, President of Nelson Union. Thursday afternoon was marked by the dedication of a memorial column erected at the grave of the late T. K. Taylor. The column, which is of red granite, bears the inscription: “Sacred to the memory of i homas Edward Taylor, beloved husband of hlizabeth 15. Taylor, and only son of Edward and Anne Taylor. Born June 10, IMO 3, died July 27, iyii. Statesman, orator, reformer, prohibition leader. Member of Parliament for nine years. Mayor of Christchurch, 1911. ‘I have fought the good f.ght,’ 2 Tim., 4-7. ‘O fallen at length that tower of strength which stood four-square to all the winds that blew.’ ” Rev. R S. Cray, Messrs A. S. Adams, L. M. l>itt, ana Wesley Spragg took part in the proceedings. Mr Isitt honoured the memory of oui late leader in a eulogy which profoundly impressed the audience by its beauty and sincerity. The Convention closed on 1 hursday evening with a monster tea and public meeting in His Majesty’s Theatre.