NO-LICENSE CONVENTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 485, 25 September 1909, Page 3

NO-LICENSE CONVENTION.

The second annual Convention of No-License workers within the Manawatu Electorate was' held in Methodist Schoolroom,Foxton, on Thursday last, Mr H. Rockel, president of the Executive Council, occupied the chair. There was a representative gathering present. Apologies for absence were read from Revs. F. W. Isitt and J. Dawson (Wellington), I. Jolly and G. W. J. Spence (Palmerston), B. Ginger (Woodvillej, and G- Frost (Sanson), and Messrs Wichsung (Rongotea) and Tate, solicitor, (Greytown North)The report of the Executive Council was submitted by Mr Rockel, president. The financial report and balance sheet were considered very satislactory. Amendments to the constitution duly notified were discussed aud carried.

The Constitution was held as read in its amended form and adopted en bloc on the voices. It was moved by Mr Aitken, seconded by Mrs Ritchie, spoken to by others aud agreed to: “That Hygiene and Scientific Temperance instruction be made a compulsory class subject in all primary schools from Standard HI and upwards, and that the Alliance Executve be urged to give early and earnest consideration of the best methods of securing temperance teaching in the day schools until it becomes an accepted subject of the ordinary curriculum.” Afternoon tea was then served alter which the Rev. E. Walker moved, Mr Frailkland seconded, and it was agreed to: “ That this Manawatu No-license Convention strongly affirms the right of the majority to rule at liquor license option polls, and the popular right to a Dominion as well as local option ; pledges itself to do its utmost, in the exercise of the franchise, and otherwise, to secure the embodiment of these rights in legislation ; appeals to the member for the electorate, Mr Newman, M.P., to use his best endeavours in Parliament for the same purpose ; and requests the No license Council to forward a copy of this resolution to the said M.P with the signatures added of any electors of the district who support it; and also to forward a copy of the resolution to the Premier.” ■ Mr Bullard moved and Mr Frankland seconded and it was agreed to (1): “That this Convention of Manawatu No liceuse workers and sympathisers strongly condemns the action of the Stipendiary Magistrate, who as Chairman of the Taumarauui Licensing Committee gave his deliberative and casting vote in favour of granting wholesale licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the King Country thus violating the solemn compact so long existing between the Government and the Maori people (2) urges the Government in view of the promise given by the Minister of Justice three months ago, to take immediate steps to bring the matter before the Supreme Court, with a view of quashing the licenses thus granted, and (3; to give the Maori people outside the King Country the right to vote upon the question of the supply of liquor to any person of the native race within any Maori Council district.”

The organiser (Mr Ritchie) introduced the subject “On 5 * Outlook and Organisation,” which was spoken to by Mr Hawkins and others. Mr Aitken moved and Mr Rockel seconded, and it was agreed to : ‘ ‘That this Convention expresses its pleasure at bearing the Organiser’s statement; its entire satisfaction with the work he did prior to the last licensing poll, and its conviction that if Mr Ritchie had been employed earlier the results would have been much better. ’ ’ Mr Ritchie thanked the Convention for its vote of confidence and appreciation of his services.

Votes of thanks to the various speakers proposed by Mr Thompson and to the Chairman proposed by Mr Aitken were carried very heartily.

PUBLIC MEETING

A public meeting was held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday night, at 8 o’clock, his Worship the Mayor in the chair. The Rev. E. Walker moved a resolution in favour of “ Dominion Option and Majority Rule” in somewhat similar terms to the one carried by the Convention in the alternoon on the same subject. This was seconded by Mr Rockel, and carried unanimously. The Chairman, in a short sympathetic'speech introduced the chief speaker, Mr W. H. Hawkins, ex-M.P., for Pahiatua, who, by special request devoted most of his speech to the question of the liberty of the subject, and the amount of liquor imported into No-License areas, and he disposed of these objections in a most eloquent and convincing manner.

The audience was invited to ask questions but no one ventured to dp so. The Rev. W. Ritchie moved the resolution re the granting of wholesale licenses by the Taumaranui Licensing Committee, carried by the Convention in the afternoon, and read the statement in the No-License Handbook, showing that a proclamation had been issued in December, 1884, prohibiting the sale of liquor in the King Country. This, was seconded by Mr Hornblow, and unarainiously agreed to.

On the motion of Messrs Rockel and Frankiand, a vote of thanks was accorded the speakers, and on that of Mr Hawkins to the Chairman.