NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1870, 29 August 1918, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

OBJECTS TO TRADE TACTICS

At a meeting of the New Zealand Alliance the following resolutions were adopted: — “That the executive of the New Zealand Alliance regrets that tho desire of the National Council of the liquor trade for a ‘fair, just and reasonable solution’ of the liquor problem should have been so imperfectly embodied in its resolution on the subject: It welcomes (ho conversion of the Trade to the democratic principle of a bare majority, but marvels at the simplicity with which the Trade takes it for granted that any democracy could be foolish enough to consent to the submission to the electors of a triple issue which, by concentrating the votes of the Trade in favour of one issue, and driving those of its oppbnents between the other two, would enable the Trade to carry Continuance, although two-thirds of the total votes might be east against it. The Alliance Executive is not surprised that the Trade, realising its inevitable destruction' by the next popular vote, should prefer to be bought out in advance as a going concern; but respectfully suggests that before it asks the people to consider the question of State control seriously, it should get the National Efficiency Board or some other independent, disinterested, and competent body of citizens to make a recommendation to that effect.” “That we reaffirm our demand, made in April last when the petition campaign was decided upon, that when the licensing vote is taken at the end of this year full provision shall be made for all soldiers, whether in (‘amp or overseas, to record their vote/’ “That we warn all persons who are desirous of securing a vote this year on the National Efficiency Board’s proposal for the prohibition of the liquor traffic that a .counterpetition is being circulated by the Trade for the purpose of safeguarding its interests by confusing the issues, and that great care should bo taken that the Alliance petition for a poll, and this petition only, should be signed by all who believe.ln nati. onal efficiency.”