THE MODERATE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2319, 28 November 1914, Page 9

THE MODERATE LEAGUE

DOMINION CONFERENCE S.OME REFORMS ADVOCATED The' Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Moderate 'League was opened yesterday at the leaguo's offices, Panama Street. Mr. A. A. S. Menteath presided, and the following delegates were present Auckland, Win. Thome (president), F. Louis. Arnritage, W. Gorrie; Napier: H. B. Lusk (president), W. P. Mitchell; Manawatu: E. J. Armstrong (president); Wanganui: Dr. H. H. Hatherle.y (president), T. B. Slipper; Christchurch: Alex. Boyle (president); South Canterbury: G. S. Gray (president) ; Otago: T. H. Thompson; Hamilton: M. Darke; Marlborough: M. W. Armstrong; Motueka: C. C. Wilkinson; Wellington: J. B. Harcourt, P. H. Brodrick. J. H. Owen, E. B'. Bristow, D. P. Skinner, J. F. Atkins, W. G. Talbot: . The Dominion secretary (Mr. R. A. Armstrong) submitted a report that the league was established on a firm footing in all the important centres throughout the Dominion. The several branches; reported a- very keen interest on the part ol tlio moderate public and a daily increasing membership..

. Resolutions- * After a general discussion of the various remits submitted by the branches, the • conference adopted a,, number of resolutions. In tho first of theso resolutions, the league expressed its strong disapproval of the pledging of Parliamentary candidates to specific objectives, and the attempt to decide Parliamentary elections on single issues, and recommended the moderato electors to record their votes for candidates according to their true political qualifications, irrespective of this question. and to voice their protest against their insidious influence upon political life and tho Legislature by soundly defeating National Prohibition and NoLicense at the coming poll. As regarded the league's general attitude for the forthcoming election it was resolved:—"That the time has come when those holding moderate views on the liquor question should indicate to the electors the proper course to pursue between the warring of opposing extreme factions." It was also resolved: "That there is no warrant for interference by coeroive legislation with tfio moderate use of alcohol which in maukind'is, and has been instinctive, practised throughout historio times, ! and sanctioned by the Christian religion." The leaguo intends to advocate the following reforms: (a) That the present system of licensing committees be discontinued, and that there bo set up a special Government department, con; trolling such district boards as may bo necessary, to supervise the manufacture and sale of alcoholic, liquids and' all in connection with the administration of the laws relating thereto. (b) The establishment by the Gov-ernment-of a standard basis of quality for all liquors imported and manufactured. in bond or otherwise, and tho subsequent rigid examination of some in both wholesale_ and retail houses under a systematio scheme. (e) The district boards to bo appointed under clause (a) hereof to investigate all matters relating to the granting of licenses covering the fitness of tho applicant and the terms under which the applicant i to occupy licensed .premises, (d)' Sales of liquor for consumption off the premises to be restricted to'.hottle stores, such bottle stores to be closed earlier than the bars. All vessels containing such liquor to bear the stamp of vendor. (e) The penalties for allowing drunkenness, on the promises, and for illegal trading and all abuses of license to ■be made heavier, and to be moro strictly enforced. The conference pledges the New Zealand Moderate League to do everything in its power to carry oiit the fundamental principle of the moderate creed, and appeals to the general body of the people to oppose the Prohibition movement and to. defeat the demands' foi No-License and National Prohibition at the forthcoming elections.

.Further, the eonference-expresses the opinion that tho local'No-License issue should.be abrogated and removed from the ballot-paper before 1917, as it is similarly unjust in principle to tho "reduction" issue recently eliminated, In the opinion of the conference, immediate steps should be taken to improve tho present system of private ownership of licensed houses, both by the internal reform of the trade itself* and bv tho amendment of governing legislation, but having in view the possible failure of such attempts at improvement tho Government should be requested to eppoint an impartial board to undertake inquiries into such alternative system as: —(l). The establishment of public trusts with limitation of profits;,(2) municipal control; and (3) State control. , In view of tho present insecurity of tenure of licenses, leading to abuses caused by the consequent neod for making profits rapidly, and in view of the great political disturbance caused by the present frequency of licensing polls, the conference, is of the-opinion that a referendum on the following lines should be submitted to the people: "That the licensing elections be held once in every six years." The following were appointed a legislative and advisory board: —Messrs. A.-' A. S. Menteath, J. B. Harcourt, J. F: Atkins,/ W. Perry, W. E. Pearson, F. H. Brodrick, J. EL Owen, E. Mace, D. F. Skinner, E. B. Bristow, and' also to act as the central executive for the Dominion.A vote of thanks to the president was proposed by Mr. Armitage, who, on behalf of the , visiting delegates, expressed the gratitude felt by them for the splendid work done by the Wellington committee in general and Mr. Menteath in particular.