Alliance Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 219, 16 March 1895, Page 2

Alliance Conference.

(Per Press Association). Wellington, March 15. At the annual business meeting, tbe Secretary read a long report on tha trans* actions of the year, in which it was stated there were many evidences tbat the principles, for the formation of which the Alliance was instituted, had taken a firmer hold upon the public mind, and were mort clearly understood and widely received. - At the first local option poll of the whole of the adult population of the colony on the main question 'of continuance versus extinction there Was a majority of ' 6564 votes cast for the latter. Farther in thirty -four out of sixty-one electorates a larger vote was recorded for prohibition than for either ot the other issues. The bope was expressed tbat the amending bill drafted by Mr Adams of Dunedin, would become law next session. As regards finance tbe year was not satisfactory. It commenced with a deficit of £87, and closed with a deficit of £42, but this was only accomplished by the use of a large portion of the late President's (Sir W, Fox) legacy of £2000. The ordinary income of the Alliance amounted to £509, wbich was the smallest contribution of any year since its formation. To carry on the work properly the income should at least be double the amount mentioned. Tbe Drink Bill for 1894 showed a lessened consumption of liquor as compared with the previous year by 123,260 gallons . Including Maoris, the cost for 1894 was £2 1 7s 8d per head of population against £3 ls 6d in tbe previous year. The re* port and balance sheet were adopted. Resolutions were passed, strongly recommending the new executive to ar« range some basis by wbich the Executive of tho Alliance shall be made truly representative ; condemning the stonewalling of the amending bill last session, and calling on the House to promptly and resolutely suppress similar tactics again. Sir R. Stout was elected President. This evening a public meeting, which was well attended, passed a number of resolutions bearing upon the efforts made to suppress the liquor traffic. i s