MEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 454, 15 March 1890, Page 5

MEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE.

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING. Auckland, March 11. The annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Alliance was held last night in the Y.M.C.A. Buildings, when chore was a fair attendance. Sir \V. Fox presided, and briefly introduced the business. Annual Eedokt.— Mr T. W. Glover read the annual report-, which was of great length. It opened with a list of meetings held and places visited during the year by the organising agent, and also gave a detailed account of the \ work done. Reference was made to the visit of Mr R. Coad, the Alliance lecturer. During the year some 32-8,000 Alliance leaflets had been distributed at licensing meetings, and there were plenty now ready for distribution, free upon application. The report stated that the attitude of the press, though still somewhat passive, was becoming more favourable and showing more consideration to the arguments and doings of prohibitionists than heretofore. The financial statement would show that in that respect the affairs of the Alliance were in a satisfactory position. As the elections werealihand, it would be necessary for friends of the Alliance to subscribe additional sums to bo ex,'tended in electoral work. The report referred to the Local Option resolution which was moved in Parliament last session by Mr E. Withy. Lengthy quotations from the speeches made on that occasion were incorporated with the report, including the division list. Stress was. laid upon the fact that there was not a single case of “ ratting ” in that division from pledges given by members to support temperance principles. Reference was also made to the Triennial Licensing Elections Act, to by elections as aflecting the strength of the temperance party, bo the ai tempted granting of licenses to railway refreshment rooms, and to the licensing, by special Act, of the refreshment bars at the Dunedin Exhibition. It was further stated that arrangements had been made with the Rev. Canon Wilberforce to visit New Zealand towards the end of the present year, and deliver addresses in the chief centres. The report referred to the death of the honoured temperance workers Mr A. Rennie, J. P., of Dunedin, and Mr John Lamb, of Auckland. The annual elections of Licensing Committees had partaken more of the nature of prohibition contests than heretofore. This issue had been raised in a number of new districts, and in other districts prohibitionists were strengthening their positions for future action. The Executive congratulated the friends upon the stand taken during the year, and urged them to renew similar efforts, pending the time when the law would provide for the direct vote being taken upon the question of “ license or no license.” As usual, the drink statistics were quoted at great length, and stress was laid upon the fact that there was a shrinkage in the drink bill of the colony for the past year. The total decrease of money spent in liquor amounted to £176,793, showing a saving of 6s 3d per head. The crime statistics also showed that there had been a decrease in the number of persons arrested for drunkenness throughout the year. Amongst those so punished, it was pleasing to notice that the proportion of native-born Ne.v Zealanders only amounted to about 5 pet cent. It was also mentioned that crime of all kinds had decreased. The report also mentioned that the prohibitionists and the temperance movement had progressed in ‘other countries during the year. Mention was made of the forthcoming general election, and it was pointed out that the first essential work which should be undertaken, was the placing upon district electoral rolls of all qualified to be voters, in order to cast the full voting strength in favour of men supporting our principles when the general election arrive?. The necessity for a second organising agent was also referred to, and the report concluded with the remark that the future was full of hope.

Statement of Accounts.— The balancesheet was read as follows : —Receipts : Balance in bank, 'l4 163 2d ; subscriptions and donations, £823 14s 2d ; total, £B3B 13s 4d. Expenditure: Salaries and commissions, £497 9s 9d ; travelling expenses, £lO6 13s 7d; printing and advertising, £B6 9s 2d; sundries, £63 5s lOd ; balance, £B4 15s.—The Rev. Mr Dukes moved the adoption of the report and . balance-sheet. He congratulated those present upon the progress made during the past year. He regretted exceedingly that the press of the colony were not more outspoken on behalf of prohibition. —Mr E. C. Carr, of Arabapu, seconded tho motion, and spoke about the necessity for still further educating public opinion in favour of prohibition. The motion was adopted. Election of C? tceks.— Mr J. T. Garlick moved : “That our thanks be given to the efficers and executive who during the past year have oarried on the operations of this Alliance, and that the following gentlemen he elected to the positions of President, Vice-Presidents, and Executive Committee for the coming year : —President: Sir \Ym. Fox, M.A., K.C.M.tf. Vice-Presidents : Hon. Sir H. Atkinson, K.C.M.G., Premier, Hon. Sir Robert .Stout, K.C.M.G., Yen.'- Archdeacon Dudley, F. H. Fraser, J.P., D. Goldie, M.H.R., J. Harding, liori Rohipa (Chief), R. C. Hughes, Rev. F. W. Isitt, J. W. Jago, J. Bennie, J. Newman, J. I\, Rev. W. G. Oliver, Rev. A. Reid, J. A. D. Adams, Hon. Thos. Dick, Thos. Field, J. Fulton, M.ILR., R. Hobbs, M.H.R., Rev. L. M. Isitt, \V. Kerr, Dr. Knight, M.R.C.S. (Eng,), L.S.A., E. Qkey, R. Neal, it. Monk, M.li.'R., T. M. Lane, J.P.. Walter Sebh-Smith, Rev. R. Waddell, M.A., E. Withy, M.H.R., J. Joyce, M.ILR., Rev. E. Best, R. Clephane, A. C. Broad, T. M. Macdonald. Executive Committee : S. J. Am bury, J. W. Carr, A. Cox, C. C, Fleming, Geo. Gregory, J, Waymouth, E. C. Carr, Councillor W, H, Smith, W. J. Speight, j, W, Shackelford. Officers: Chairman of Executive, Sir William Fox ; Treasurer, J. Elkin; Hon. Sec., J. New man, J.P.” Mr Garlick said that this should really have been two resolutions, one thanking the past officers and another proposing others for the ensuing year. He considered they were worthy the thanks of the whole of New Zealand. He hoped that the day was nob far distant when the people would have the power of direct veto upon the liquor traffic. Mr Leyland seconded the motion, and referred to the varied nationalities and creeds represented in the list of officers proposed, The motion was then adopted without further discussion. Mrs Schnackenberg appeared with others as a deputation from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. She asked whether the platform of- the Alliance included the ehfraiiQhisemeut of females. “The Chairman said’that was not in the original platform of the Alliance when first formed, njr bacT it been kdded'since. Ifo change could take plaoe 'without the whble' of tlie' branches being consulted upon’ 1 the 'matter.' thanked pl\airqjdiqV and setid that tbp wopipn claimed to have more than a- ghild \YQ»’Q

better fitted to exercise their rights 1 than criminals and lunatics. That was j the present condition of women, and they claimed their rights of equality. They were prepared to help in any way that lay in their power, but they wanted the direct vote as to who should go into Parliament. Mr W. J. Macdermott said he would move “ That the best thanks of this meeting be accorded to the ladies for bringing the matter before the Alliance, and this meeting recommends the incoming executive to consider the subject with the view of securing female franchise for at least licensing elections.” Air Garlick seconded the resolution, which was adopted. Mrs Alain said that what the women wanted was to take their position as citizens, and vote on all questions.—Air J. YVaymouth said that ho noticed in “The Field ” that the question was considered as to whether ladies should not go in for ail the sports—whether they should not ride astride and wear the breeches, and it seemed to him that was what they were coming to. For his part he entirely agreed with St. Paul, “ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands.” He thoroughly disagreed with the proposal to introduce the matter into the platform of the Alliance. It would cause dissension in some households, whilst in others the husband would merely have two votes. Air French spoke in favour of granting the franchise to females. Mr Glover pointed out that the ladies were already equal vdth the men upon the licensing question, they could vote if they were ratepayers. lie advocated the Alliance simply sticking to their own platform. Privately, he had no objection to working for female franchise, but did not wish to see it incorporated with the Alliance platform. Air It. French moved as an amendment “That the Executive take into consideration the question of obtaining the franchise for females.” This was not seconded, and Air Smith suggested the withdrawal of Air Alacdermott’s resolution. The question was put to the meeting, and lost by Bto 4. Mr French then wished, to move another resolution upon the question, but was ruled out of order.

Another Agent Wanted.— Air Joseph Newman next moved, “ That in view of the increased expenditure necessitated by the employment of a second Alliance agent for New Zealand, in addition to the funds required to sustain our general work, this Council hereby pledges itself to aid the Executive in obtaining additional contributions to the funds of the Alliance.” —This was seconded by Air S. J. Ambury,—Air J. Waymouth also spoke in support of the resolution. —Air French considered they shoulc utilise their local agent. —Air Glover pointed out that each year they were growing and progressing. Air Cox considered that one agent could not get over all the ground in the year.— Air F. G. Ewington objected to the extra expense, and complained about the want of interest manifested at the late elections. —The motion was then put to the meeting and adopted. Female Franchise.— Mr French then moved and Air Smith seconded the advisability of the Executive taking into consideration the question of adding the female franchise to the Alliance platform. This was adopted.