NO-LICENSE POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 7

NO-LICENSE POLICY.

$ >— "COMPACT" ENDORSED. BUT NOT TO BE PROCEEDED WITH. Tho famous licensing "compact" which was agreed to in November last by the executive of the New Zealand Allianeo 011 tho 0110 hand and tho 'representatives of tho. Trade on . the other, and which was subsequently repudiated by a representative conferof tho No-Licenso party, has now been accepted in principle by tho Dominion Convention of tho N.Z. Alliance, but 110 action is authorised to lie taken in tho matter. Such is the effect of a decision arrived at by the convention wliilo sitting in camera yesterday. Tho official report is as follows; — After two and a half-days' debato on tho proposal to revive the arrangement regarding licensing legislation, which wns made with tho Government last November, an amendment condemning the combination of the issues of No-License and Dominion Prohibition was rejected by 7(i votes to. 60. It, was then agreed to treat the decision as affirming tho compromise, but to proceed-110 further witii tho matter, owing to tho closeness of tho division. Special Vote on Dominion Prohibition., Tlio following motions are also officially reported:— (1) That Wo demand a' special vote 011 Dominion Prohibition, with full provision for giving effect thereto if confirmed. (2) That this .speoial vote bo taken on tho day of tho next general oleotion. (3) That tho question- bo submitted to the electors on a-separ-ate paper of distinctive colour, to bo kept and counted separately. (4) That we demand tho bar© majority and all amendments dealing with tlio local law affirmed last June. (5) That tho executive, in consultation with tlio Consultative Committee, bo empowered to draft a Bill 011 tho abovo lines; and submit same to Government aiul to organise tho party throughout tlio Dominion m support of the Bill. THE DAY'S SITTINGS. In regard to the general proceedings of tho day, the official report states as follows:—

The convention resumed at 9.15 a.m. Mr. G. Carson occupied tho chair. Tlio following delegates continued tho debate 011 the position of tho party:—Messrs. C. 11. l'oole, M.P , 11. G. Ell, M\l'., M'Gregor, M'Coombc, M'Laren; Revs. Dewdney, Dawson, ■ Buckingham; and Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. 'Powell. The session closed at 1.20. Tho afternoon session commenced at 3.15. Tho chairman was tho Rev. R S. Gray. .Messrs. Malcolm,. M'Coombo, L. M. Isitt, Parkinson, .Williams, Carson, M'Dormott, Nicholls, and the Rev. Feo occupied tho platform until tho 6.15 adjournment, up to which timo 110 vote had boon arrived at as to tho future policy of the party. Tho business of the convention not having been exhausted, it was agreed to meet again at 7.30. The adjourned session 'resumed at 7.05, with tlio Rov. R. S. Gray presiding. On the motion of tho Rov. A. Dowdncy, it was agreed to forward return greetings to Mr. W, 11. Judkins, Trades and Labour Council, and to tho 'Amalgamated Society of Slaughtermen of Wellington. It was also decidotl to send -congratulations to the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, 011 tho occasion of his receiving knight-, hood. Tho Rev. F. W. Chattorton, principal of To Ran College, Gisborno, moved:— "That the "principle of granting local option to tho Maoris having been affirmed again and again' ill largo gatherings of. .both. Maoris and Euro : peans,,as a measure of justice tlio Government is respectfully urged that in order to give effect to this , principlo rolls of Maoris residing in each European electorate be prepared, and that tlio Maoris so enrolled be entitled to vote 011 tho local option issue only, at the same time and with tho same .machinery'as is used for tho European voto, and to bo reckoned together with .that vote-" This motion-was seconded by the Rov. F. Bennett, of Rotorua, and carried. Mr. Wesley Spragg was unanimously and with great enthusiasm elected president- for tho ensuing year.