Temperance Conference at Palmerston.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 304, 3 May 1894, Page 2

Temperance Conference at Palmerston.

The meeting of delegates from various temperance bodies in Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Nelson, Taranaki and Christcbnrch, convened by the Palmerston Prohibition League, was opened in the Theatre at 10.15 yesterday morning. Mr James Stubbs, President of the local League, was in the chair. The following delegates were present :— Messrs Jas. Stubbs, Jas Grace, Grove, J. Williams, H. C. Hagelden, W. Johnson, Revs. F. (juintrell and E. Walker, and Mrs Dale, Palmerston ; H. A. Atkinson (secretary Prohibition League), and F. W. Isitt, Cbristcburch ; Rev. Jas Doull, Bulls ; G Carson, W. G. Bennett, and Rev. C H. Garland, Wanganui; Mrs Giesen, S. Andrew, J. C. Thompson, W. G Shearer and Revs. W. H. Jndkins and Clements, Feilding ; S. Knight and J. C Ransom, Campbelltown; F.Pirani, MHR., Knights of Labour; J Walker and J. Reid, Sanson; J. Dixon, Matheson and Bailey, Bunnythorpe; Sir R. Stout, Wellington ; J. W. Bowater, Sanson. The Chairman said he welcomed the delegates because they came as earnest men and women with an earnest purpose in a good cause. Many of them had made great sacrifices to be present and he hoped the result of their deliberations would be of incalculable benefit to the colony in which they lived. Mr A R. Atkinson, President of the Wellington Prohibition League, read a paper on the Alcoholic Liquors Sales Control Act. He enumerated the good points of the Act as four, viz , the control being taken from the ratepayers and given to the electors ; the direct veto ; no compensation ; and the increase of licenses being aJmoßt an impossibility. He advocated the inclusion of clubs in the direct veto, the revenue not being localised as at present and the simplification of the procedure in regard to petitions against the result of the local option polls Mr Reid, Chairman of the Eiwitea County Council, referring to the majority requisite to carry no license, said they need have no hesitation in accepting a bare majority as tbe test, provided the temperance party worked shoulder to shoulder to see that the law was carried into effect Mr Ransom, of Campbelltown, pointed out that a great deal of power was wasted last election by the Act being called a mad dog. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, That the proviso in section 18 of the Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Act that half the electors must vote to make a poll effective be repealed The motion was seconded by Mr Atkinson, of Christchurch, and carried. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, That instead of the 3 sths majority, a 20 per cent majority of those voting be substituted. Mr D N. Adams, of Napier, seconded the motion. The Rev. Mr Walker moved as an ! amendment. That a bare majority be > substituted Sir Robert Stout entered the hall at this moment and was greeted with loud applause, the whole of the delegates rising to their feet. Mr F. Piraui strongly supported the bare majority, The Rev. F. W. Isitt hoped that there would be uo division of the temperance party on the question of a majority. He was prepared, while admitting the justice of a bare majority, to yield that point, because he felt satisfied that even with a three-fifths majority tho temperance party would succeed. Sir Robert Stout could vote for nothing beyond a bare malority from a democratic poiut of view. The motion for a bare majority was then put and carried by the casting vote of the Chairman. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, That the licensing districts be the boroughs and ridings of couuties. Mr Shearer seconded the motion. Mr F. Piraui supported the present eleptoral districts with a return to the old districts for election of committees. The TRev. F. W. Isitt thought from au educational point of view the largo districts were best, although as a matter of convenience the smaller districts were best. Further consideration of the motion was deferred. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, That tho section of tho Act practically giving three years' tenure be repealed. The motion was seconded by Mr F. H. Frascr aud carried, ; Hi- A, Hi Atkittsrai uwYQtl} q,u3 Ms ;

Adams seconded, That Ciub charters be placed on the same footing as hotels in regard to the direct vote. — Carried. Mr F. W. Isitt moved, and Mr J. Grace seconded, That every liquor license be brought under the same provisions as hotel licenses. Sir Robert Stout suggested that no vote be taken on the question, but that the debate be adjourned. This suggestion was agreed to. The delegates and friends were enter* tamed at luncheon, after which the Bitting was resumed. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, That the issue to be submitted to the direct vote be a simple "yes" or " no " for the continuance or abolition of licenses, and that reductions be left to the committees. Mr Baker seconded the motion. Sir Robert Stout suggested that the ballot-paper should simply contain the words •' license " and "no license," and those who did not strike out either line, or struck out both, should have 'their papers counted for alreduction. = Mr Shearer thought in many instances the committees were ignorant of the wants of the district. The motion was carried, that portion referring to a reduction being struck out. Mr Shearer said that his experience was that many who favored reduction would never vote for prohibition. The motion was carried. Mr A. R. Atkinson moved, and Mr James Stubbs seconded, That the licensing districts be smaller in area than the electoral districts. The motion was lost. Mr S. Andrew .moved, That the portion of section 5, which gives the Governor power to authorise the Licensing Committee to issue licenses in any riding of a country or road district in which the population has suddenly increased, on the petition of 100 electors, be repealed. -Carried. The Rev. James Doull moved, That an Executive Prohibition Committee for Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki be appointed, whose duties shall be— (l) To watch Temperance Legis. lation, and without delay influence the House upon the matter; (2) To receive reports, suggestions, and inquiries, from all parts of the district, and decide upon the course of action to be followed by all. Mr V. C. Ransom, Campbelltown, strongly supported the motion, which was carried. On MrH. A. Atkinson's motion it was resolved, That it is desirable that five divisional Prohibition leagues be formed iv the colony. ■ A vote of thanks was passed to the originators of the Convention and to the ladies who had so kindly entertained the visitors. Sir Robert Stout addressed a crowded meeting in the Theatre Royal in the evening on the temperance question. — Standard.