LICENSED VICTUALLERS' MEETING.

Dunstan Times, Issue 747, 11 August 1876, Page 3

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' MEETING.

A meeting of those interested in the liquor traffic was held on Monday morning last at Mr Ernies’ Dunstan Hotel, Clyde, for the purpose of considering a proposal from the Otago Licensed Victuallers’ Association for the formation of a branch at Clyde. Present: His Worship, Mrß. Naylor, (in the chair) and Messrs J. D. Feraud, IX MacPherson, J. Cox, T. Hawthorne, J. Parks, ,T. Holt, W. Eamcs, and M. Mosley, (delegate from Dunedin.) His worship announced the object of the meeting, which he said was for the purpose of considering the formation of a branch of the Otago Licensed Victuallers Association. Mr Mosley said he had been requested by the Otago Licensed Victuallers Association to visit Clyde and other towns in the Province to consult with those in the trade regarding the formation of branches of the Association. The time had come when it was necessary for those in the trade to combine for the protection of their own interests. Had the combination it was sought to establish existed a few days ago instead of one memorial going up to Wellington against Mr Stout’s Local Option Bill, signed as it was by 1839 persons, memorials from Ml parts of the Province could have been sent up, with an aggregate of 6000 or 7000 signatures, and of course they would have carried a corresponding increase of weight. This was one case in which combination would have been successful. Again, when the present session of Parliament was over, it was intended, in Dunedin, to draft a bill that would consolidate and amend the exiting Licensing Acts. The draft so formed

would be sent to the different branches, and they would be asked to meet and consider it, and suggest any amendments that might be desirable. By this means tho wishes of the trade throughout the province would be ascertained and tho bill would go up to tho House with all the weight that would attach to it necessarily as the 'expression of opinion ot 300 or 400 traders scattered over a wide surface. Other matters would constantly arise, in which cooperation would bo both desirable and effective, and it was in view of these that tho Association asked those in the trade to combine. Mr J. Feraud said he thought those present were fully alive to the advantage of co-operation, and ho would therefore move that they join the Association, as the Clyde Branch of the Otago Licensed Victuallers Association. Mr Eames having seconded this, it was carried unanimously. Mr Mosley then issued Members’ tickets to those present. Mr Cox asked whether in the event of the Branch at any time deeming it requisite to send a delegate to attend meetings of Branches at Dunedin or elsewhere, the expenses so incurred would come out of the general fund, and he was ‘informed that they would It was proposed by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Holt, “ That Mr Eames be appointed Secretary.” This being put was canied unanimously'. A vote of thanks to the chair having been carried, and “success to the Clyde Branch ot the Otago Licensed Victuallers Association” having been toasted, the meeting dispersed.