MODERATE LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1919, Page 4

MODERATE LEAGUE.

BRANCH STARTED IN NEW PLYMOUTH. At the Soldiers' Club rooms last evenins .Mr. J. McLeod presided at the meeting convened to consider the question of the formation of a branch of the Moderate League, for the purpose of the State Onnt.ro 1 . movement. Mr. R. A. Armstrong, Wellington, was present, but the alicnii!ii!i-e of the public was very disappointing. In the course of a few remarks >lr. Armstrong stated that the Moderate League had been formed prior to (.he war to look after the interests of voters who were neither partial to Prohibition nor the Trade. With the advent of the war the league was allowed to stand in abeyance. Now that the war was over they decided to establish branches of the league throughout the Dominion, hence his visit to New Plymouth. He then touched on the questions that will go before the electors at the next election. After answering a few questions, the meeting carried a resolution that a branch be formed, and a provisional committee of seven was elected, with power to add. The committee elected comprised: Messrs J. McLeod, J Abbott, L. B. Webster, Jas. Clarke, J." C. Smith, A. Avery, and E. Humphries. The chairman, in closing the meeting, said the time had arrived when State or some other control over the Trade should be instituted. He had no quarrel with those engaged in the liquor business, but it was very evident that a change was desirable. Ho also reminded his audience that in the past the question was mainly between the Prohibitionists and the Trade, but there were others interested, and thev desired to get the third party with them as a moderate party, which should command a big vote that should assist them to get certain improvements effected.