MODERATE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2931, 17 November 1916, Page 7

MODERATE LEAGUE

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR'S WORK REVIEWED ' Tlio second annual report of the New .Zealand Moderato League refers to Mo fact that domestic matters aro still overshadowed by tho war, and that, although the Parliamentary sessions have peen held as usual, tho House devoted ,fitself primarily and almost entirely to ttho discussion:'of measures calculated Jto assist New Zealand to play its part tin the Empire's task of war-winning. ; Dealing with the league's proposed licensing reforms tho reports says:—lt twill bo remembered that in August, .l!)lo, a depluation from the league placed before Government a comprejliensivo programme of licensing reiorm, a suggestion that a Commission of Inquiry should be sot up to in-h-ostigatc the following matters:—(l) Oho efficiency of tho present New Zeadand Licousing Act;*(2) the liquor laws jof other countries; (3) the conduct of licensed houses and the trado generally in New Zealand; (4) tho systems "of , State control, municipal control, and Jpublic liquor trusts. I .. The Prime Minister was good enough |to express his appreciation of the value ,'bf the league's suggestions, but pointed to the fact that war-time- was not opportune for handling such a highly . debatable matter as licensing legislation. With this contention, so far as tho major part of tho proposals was concerned,'the league entirely agreed; but there are portions of the programme submitted -that merely call for the enforcement of existing provisions, and other portions that may be made (effective by regulation. During the year\ ijust concluded these have been made She subject of further deputations and {communications with the various Minasters concerned, and the Executive is (pleased -to inform members that the jlatest reply received from tho Hon. A. flj. Herdman, Minister in Charge of .[Police, is to the effect that the inspec-' ftiou of liquor under Part VII of the Act is now being carried out H>y police officials, and. that samples lof liquor taken from the hotels are in khe hands of the analysts, the result of ithe examination being now awaited, Executive is also gratified to note, ifrom-tho proceedings at tho annual- sittings of the .licensing-benches, the evifdeiit intention of the authorities to demand the highest possiblo standard of tamdupt of hotels. The strict onforceJmeut of penalties for breaches, and [the provision of fuller powers.for the poliee Department, under the War Regulations Act, whereby licensees may ■be;called on'to show cause why their licenses should not be cancelled for misconduct, are further portions of the .programme advocated by the league v-hich are now taking' definite form. Reference is made to tho loss of membership through enlistments in the Expeditionary Forces, and sympathy is extended to the relatives of those who have fallen at the front'.',': : The early closing moment, and the Eleague's attitude thereon/ it dealt with ■at some length, although it is pointed put that to review, even partially, the results of. the general investigations of therexecutive would' take more space .than is available in an annual report. . After quoting correspondence with the Defence Minister and the statements of the police and military authorities m opposition to early closing tho report says: In addition to the foregoing,, the execute, were influenced in .coming to a dec, .--.-.on this question by /the previously-expressed policy of the feague to. ihe .effect,that there .should. •|be no mote tinkering with'the Licens-iwg-Act, but that-the-whole.licensing question should he firmly grasped and dealt with comprehensively at tho first lavourablc moment. Referring to the anti-shouting regulations, the report slates that due consideration was given by the executive jlto the proposals Jor tho suppression • ( ot- the habit of "shouting," and: while /■riavmg no sympathy, under normal conditions, with attempts at coercion.appbed by legislation to the social habits of the people who can use without ahusJlng, they decided not to offer any opposition to the proposal in view of tho icvidoiifc desire of Government to give ! ?rV £ al dunns lhe P eriod of the war. ;Jne officers of the league have on every ioccasion deprecated tho foolish extremes jto which tho habit is often carried by :those drinking in groups, and, while /the executive has. little faith in the,ethcacy of the regulations'as a measuro J'Jikely to prevent drunkenness, it may rJiave the good effect of breaking down rthe false sense of it being "good form" /.to return drinks without limit, and may j thus break a number from the foolish Y -*abit of excessive "shouting." The •'right -to entertain a friend in the manner customary heretofore is but temiporar.ly surrendered by tho moderato (section, and the executive trusts that Jmembcrs of the league will do all possible to assist in having the law respected during the period of the war. J he recent decision of Parliament, in •new of the distraction of the war to /postpone the next general elections'for jtwelve months, is referred to in terms '?[ e ra * lfication ' tbo report stating: ■ :■ this is a.final endorsement of the ' '.action of tho leaguo in 1914, when a •iwsiponeiuent was asked for, but did (Hot at that time meet wjth tho support : ,ot iarliamentarians, and should entourage members to look forward to ' Uho other proposals of the league rcceiv-' ■ Ung in the near future that meed of I consideration and support to which thev ►are entitled." Jieferencc is made to the affiliation oi tfie. league with the True Temperance Association of Great Britain, of •which, the Right Hon. the Earl of Halsjbiir.v, Lord High Chancellor of Great ' .'■Britain, is President, and appreciation us expressed at the loyal support accorded to tho Central Executive by ' ;branch committees and members (throughout tho Dominion! The financial statement shows a balance in hand |<>f 160 Is. 2d. An obituary notice referring to tho death of the lea<ruo's ifcrst president, tho late Mr. A A °Stu art Mententh, completes the report, .which will he presented at a meeting 0 r .members in the Chamber of Commorco on Tuesday afternoon next.