Moderate League.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1922, Page 4

Moderate League.

A CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON, October 18

A conference of delegates from provincial branches of the New Zealand Moderate League was opened to-day. Mr W. Parry, deputy president of the . central executive, was in the chair j and delegates were in attendance as follows: —Canterbury, Dr Levinge, 1 Messrs J. J. Dougall, and R. W. Walker; Auckland, Messrs IT. R. M’Tvenz’c and J. Butler; Otago, Mr T. H. Thompson; Wellington, Messrs W. i Perry nnlul E. B. Bristow; Marlborough, T)r Noble Adams and Mr S. M. ; Nelson, Messrs F. G. j Stewart and J. Atkins; Taranaki, Mr , \ Coleman; Poverty Bay, Mr C. ,T. MacCnrthv; South Canterbury, Dr , Levinge and Mr J. H. Owen. The cen- 1 trnl executive conveyed the apology of Mr. D. M. Findlay, president of the ( league, who had been unable through , ill-healtli to return from Australia in time for the conference. 1

The chairman welcomed the visiting delegates. lie briefly recounted the history of the league from its foundation in 1014. The organisation had worked quietly but effectively in the interests of tlie moderate public. They ' had been faced with abnormal condiI tions created by the war, and when ■ they approached tho Government in 1015 with a request for a complete overhaul of tho liquor laws the Prime Minister had replied that the time was inopportune for dealing effectively with the matter. As reasonable citizens they had to agree with this. Unlike their opponents, the prohibi- ! tionists, who had declared that the prohibition movement was of more iniI portnnee than the war. tile jUodciatc ; Leo "lie had recognised the relative position of the liquor question in regard to other matters. The position 1 now was, however, that with the coun--1 try returned to normal the campaign j could with decency lie resumed. The Prime Minister had recently stated in , Parliament that if Prohibition were not carried at the approaching poll tlie Government would bring down a comprehensive measure ul licensing rclonn. This was the league's opportunity to press for an entirely new liquor law. The conference would he asked t<> deal with proposals for an amendment of the law governing the third issue of State Control, so that it would he made a living issue at future polls. It had to be recognised that there was a strong probability that continuance would be the result of no issue being carried at tlie approaching election, and it was the duty of the league to consider what amendments could be made to the law governing private enterprise. so that the best conditions possible would be secured in the public interests pending the ultimate adoption of the State Control system. It had t>> be recognised that State Control was not much understood by the people of New Zealand, and it would take time to make them acquainted with the benefits to he derived from tlie adoption of the system. The future of the liberty of the subject in regard to this matter rested entirely with proper organisation. Remits from various branches were then discussed. i