NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5272, 9 May 1928, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

THAMES VALLEY CONVENTION.

MEETING IN CENTENARY HALL.

The annual convention of representatives of the various centres in the Thames Valley affiliated to the New Zealand Alliance fq|r the abolition of the liquor traffic by' direct vote of the people was held in the Centenary Hall, Paeroa, yesterday. Delegates were present from Thames, Te Aroluv, Hauraki Plains, Waihi, Wharepoa, and Paeroa. The arrangements for the convention were in the hands. of the local organiser, Mr J. W. Cocks, and the speakers were Mr C. R. Edmond (Domin’on Secretary of the N.Z. Ab liance), Mr C. Waterhouse (organiser for South Auckland area), and Mr Cyril Burton (Youth and Young People’s Work organiser). The Rev. J. D. McFarland, of Waihi, was chaii'-i man.

At the morning session the subjects dealt with were “Area Finance and Roll Work” (Mr C. Waterhouse), and the “Dominion Budget and the Indi-, vidua] and Collective Responsibility for same” (Mr Edmond). The session, was one of great uplift and inspiration.

The lunch arrangements were very efficiently carried out by the ladies of tl'e. local branch of t'he Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The afternoon session was commenced with a helpful discussion on budget .matters, in which the Rev. J. Lowden, t'he Rev. W. E. Lambert, and Mr Carlisle took part. Mr Cyril Burton followed with an address on the activities of the “Youth Movement Against Alcohol,” a new and growing organisation .which prom’ses to be a great factor in the discouragement of drinking by young people.

Mr. C. R. Edmond delivered a powerful address on “Licensing Legislation,”. reviewing at length the progress of the various measures that have beeir submitted to the Legislature of the Dominion, culminating in the splendid voting in the House of Representatives on t.he Licensing Bill of last year, when the two-issue 1 ballot paper, triennial polls, and the bare majority clauses were affirmed by substantial majorities. Mr, Edmond concluded his address with the following statement: —

“From my knowledge of oui*' movement fit the Domirii'on there is not the slightest chance of any departure from the. principle of the bare majority on a two-issue balliojt paper. . . . If the matter is not settled during the next ses’sion of Parliament. then the question must become a vital issue at the next general election. Nb question, is ever settle*]' until it is settled right, and we intend to continue the fight for the right o'f the people to( abolish the liquor traf-i lie from this Dominion by a free and democratic vote.”

Resolutions were passed expressing tlie fullest' confidence in Mr Edmond in his capacity as'the representative of the New Zealand Alliance in mati ■ters affecting licensing legislation. A vote of thanks to the ladies of tlie W.C.T.U., and devotional exev ciscs, concluded the convention.