NO-LICENSE CONGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 32, 27 June 1914, Page 2

NO-LICENSE CONGRESS.

MR. MASSEY PROMISES LICENSING BILL EARLY. Per Press Association. tt, a i x Wellington, Friday. liie delegates attending the No•Lieense Congress, together with local sympathisers, inarched to Parliament House this morning for the purpose of •presenting a memorial on the liquor question to the Premier. * The deputation was introduced by ,Mr. Isitt, M.P., who claimed that the deputation was representative of all 'parts of the Dominion.

The memorial set forth that the liquor traffic was the fruitful cause of economic waste, physical inefficiency, moral degeneration, insanity, crime -and death. It also showed that in 1902 » majority of 3000 valid votes were in .favor of prohibition, and at the last general election a majority of 54,282 •was cast in favor of total prohibition. It held that the arbitrary and unjust majority required was contrary to the •general practice in the country, and that the minority was now ruling. The •memorialists, therefore, whilst maintaining the principle of a simple majority for the settlement of all licensing issues submitted to the electors, and recognising that the Bill circulated by the Government at the close of last session of Parliament makes provision for the granting of an instalment of this reform, and in view of the pledges given 'by members of Parliament, urge that the Bill be introduced in the House in the early days of the present session, and that every effort be made to secure its speedy passage through both Houses of Parliament.

The first speaker, Mr. Wesley Spragg, president of the No-License League, claimed that every electorate in the Dominion was represented, .and said that, while thankfully accepting the instalment of reform promised in the Government Bill, they would never recede from the position taken up, that this question must be settled by a bare majority of the people. Mr. A. S. Adams, Mrs. Don and the Rev. R. S. Gray and two native chiefs •from the King Country also spoke. - In reply, the Prime Minister thanked the deputation for the moderation of their views. He said Parliament would be given an opportunity to deal with the question by the introduction of the Licensing Bill. The promise he had, given would be kept in the near future. He wou}d move the Bill on Tuesday, and hoped it would be dealt with be■tween the Address-in-Reply and the financial debate. He would not make it a party question but would leave every ■member free to fulfil his pledges. He referred to the unsatisfactory state of the King Country, and said remedial proposals would be placed ibefoie Parliament.

KING COUNTRY CONDITIONS.

Wellington, Friday.

The Alliance Congress to-day had a discussion with reference to unsatisfactory conditions in the King Country, and it was decided that conferences be held with tile Maoris and also the residents in that area for the purpose of collecting information.^ It was also resolved'to appoint an-or-ganiser as early as possible.

MR, WESLEY SPItAGG ELECTED PRESIDENT. At the afternoon session of the New Zealand Alliance Mr Wesley Spragg presided. The Budget waa brought down by the Rev. W. J. Comirie, smd after discussion it was adopted. Mr Wesley Spragg (Auckland) was re-elect-ed president as were aleo a number of vice-presidents, and with a few alterations the consultative committee was reelected.

It was decided to hold the next convention in Wellington in June, 1015.