GOOD TEMPLARS,

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1708, 27 March 1913, Page 6

GOOD TEMPLARS,

(By Telegraph.—Prese Association.) NeW Plymouth, March 26. Tho session of tho International Order of Good Templars was continued to-day. It was resolved: "That this Grand Lodge of Good Templars desires to draw attention to the fact that notwithstanding that an absolute majority of votes were cast in favour of the absolute prohibition of tho liquor traffic at last poll in the Dominion, tlie will of the people, as expressed at the poll, was defeated by tlio iniquitous handicaps of tho three-fifths majority as at present required; we, therefore, call upon all temperance workers to unite in the endeavour to bring this unjust handicap to an end, and call upon Parliament to make an amendment to the licensing laws next session so that tho will of the people as expressed at the poll shall become law."

It was also resolved: "That this Grand Lodge endorses the democratic vote campaign, and immediately gets voters and members to pledge themselves not to vote for any candidate who will not give us the right to vote the. liquor, traffic out on more equitable basis." Tho report of the Electoral Committee caused much discussion, and was finally adopted. v . 'The Shield Committee recommended that the competition should continue under present conditions. At the evening session telegrams of greeting were received ' from Victoria, Queensland, and various places in tho Dominion. A resolution was carried calling upon all temperance workers to unite in endeavouring to obtain a bare majority vote on the licensing question, and to ask Parliament to amend the licensing law in the forthcoming session. Another resolution was passed endorsing a democratic vole campafgn, and asking electors (o pledge themselves not to support any candidate who will not sive tho right to vote out the liquor traffic on a more -equitable basis. . It was resolved that tho next session be held in Wellington. Tho election of officers resulted as follows:— G.C.T., Bro. A. B. Thomson; P.C.T., Bro. H. Dnlton; G.V.T., Sister M. Flanagan: S.S.J.W., C. Cameron; P.E.S., Bro. D. C. Cameron; G.S., Bro. G. Petherick; G.T., Bro. R. H. Rigarls- , ford; G.C., Bro. J. Griffith; G.M., Bro. G. H. Ilartnell; A.G.S.. Bro.'H. J. Millan; G.G., Bro. J. Hodgkinson; Bro. G. Kemslev; G.D.M., Sister M.'Williams j G.L. Advisory Board, Bros. Jtfillan, Atkinson. and Rose.