NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 121, 23 May 1903, Page 4

NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

A. fairly good number, including several ladies, responded to the advertiaament o tiling a meeting of those interested in forming an association to oope with the growing evils of gambung, drinking, etc.

Mr W. A. 'Chilis was voted to the chair, and, after some general discussion, Mr Maunder moved a general resolution dealing with the whole question of moral reform. This met with ■ome abjection, on the ground that it encroached on the province of the Ckraoeil of the Ohurches. A suggestion was then made that the Council of the ChurcbSs should enlarge their platfarm, bat th : s was o v jected to on the ground that this wou'd deprive them of aome present support. Some discussion ensued, taken part in by the Rev. Ur Woollpy, Messrs Maunder, White, and Ballringer.

The Bev. J. N. Buttle said it was clear, from what had been said, what wu wanted was an organisation to deal with the liquor traffic. He suggested a No-License League. It was best not to interfere with the Council of the Churches, and while he felt that the atrength of the no-license movement lay in the churches, there were many who did not care a dump for the oborchea who were dead nuts on the liquor traffic. As far as be cauld see, the liquor traffic dominated the town ; it took away the ready cash, and was the enemy of evety tradesman, and wa6 affecting the commercial and moral welfare of the town in the wrong direction. He favoured a straight cut organisation to deal with it. He dealt at length on the methods and value c.f organisation, which, in Lis opinion, would mean victory at tha next Local Option poll. Mr Battle concluded an earnest address by moving that a NoLicense League befoimsd.

Mr Hodder seconded and endorsed Mr Buttle's remarks re fighting the traffic, nob individual'. Mr Maunder largely concurred, and withdraw his motion.

Mr J. T. White moved to add, affer license, the words "and temperance reform," but later insert-id th 9 wo:d "moral" for tempsranc* The Rev. Mr Wcolley supported tbe motion. The platform c.uld provide for other aim 3, but there was no disguising the fact that tLeir real and great aim was no-license.

After a fres discussion, taken part in by R»vs. Buttlf, Nixo-i, and Woolley, Messrs J. T. White, Maunder, Goadaore, 8. B. White, C.ckir, Nei', and Btllringer, tbe pre p -eed addi'icra w.it lost, and tbe motion, tbat a No-L ! censo League be formed, was cjrriei unanimously.

The Rev. J. N. Battle was tLea elected president; G. H. Maunder, secretary; E. B. Bite 3, tr; surer; aril Messrs Col lip, Duokwoi tb, Cockm, Stanley Smith, Ntul, 0. B-llringer, H. Goofacre, and Freothey the executive commit!; e.

The subscription for r/ruiberehip was then fixed at Is. On the motion of Mr J. T. White, it was resolved to hold monthly meetings of the League.

Messrs Maunder and Bates were elected delegates to the Palmerstonl Convention in June, and, on the motion of Mr 3. B. White, the retiring member, Mr Maunder was nominated as the Taranaki member of the Colonial Executive. A vote of thanks to th>j chiir concluded the meeting.