TEMPERANCE UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1131, 26 January 1884, Page 3

TEMPERANCE UNION.

A meeting was held last Thursday evening in the Good Templar Hall, Temuka, to take into consideration the advisability of forming a branch of the Temperance Union, the object of which is to influence the election of Licensing Committees and Members of the House of Representatives, and also to endeavour to obtain the passing of legislative enactments having for their object the suppression of the liquor traffic. The Rev Mr Hamilton, President of the Blue Ribbon Army, took the chair. The hall was fairly filled. The proceedings were opened by singing hymn 176, (Sankey’s collection), after which the rev. chairman read a portion of the Scriptures, and the Rev D. Gordon engaged in

prayer. _ The rev. chairman then read some communications he had received on the subject. The first notice he had of the movement was from their representative, Mr W. E. Barker, but before reading it he wished to express his sympathy with him in his bereavement, and he was sure they would all sympathise with him. He next read the letter, which gave information respecting the meeting' in Christchurch, and expressed a hope that a branch of the Union would be formed in Temuka. He had since received the following : ‘ Form of resolutions which it may be desirable to pass at a preliminary meeting of the temperance public : 1 1—That it is desirable to form as early as possible a branch of the Canterbury Temperance Union, to be called the Temuka Branch. 4 2—That with this view a Provisional Committee be now formed who shall canvass the district, and enrol as members of the Branch all total abstainers, male and female, over 21 years of age who shall have paid an admission fee of 4s. 4 3- That at the expiration of, say, one month from this date, or sooner if practicable, this Committee shall convene a meeting of members thus enrolled for the purpose of adopting the constitution and bye-laws of the branch. 4 4—That the said Committee be instructed to prepare a constitution and draw up bye-laws and submit the same to the meeting of members afore mentioned. Resolutions suggested as suitable for adoption at the first meeting of members of the branch : 4 1 —That an association be now estabtablished. to be called the Temuka Branch of the Canterbury Temperance Union. 4 2—That the members of this Branch shall include all total abstainers who shall have paid an annual subscription of 4s to the funds. 4 3—That the objects of the said branch shall be— (a) to secure the election of total abstainers as members of the Licensing Bench of the district, or of those who will faithfully carry out the wish of the total abstainers in the said district; ( h ) to assist in the election to Parliament of Representatives favorable to the limitation and ultimate suppression of the liquor traffic ; (c) to endeavor by petitions to Parliament and otherwise to influence Legislation in favor of such limitation and suppression ; (d) to use all legitimate means for the furtherance of total abstinence principles among the inhabitants of the district.

4 4—That the management of the branch shall be vested in a Chairman or President, Secretary and Treasurer, and 17 members as a Committee, to be elected annually by ballot at a general meeting of members of the branch which should be held not later than the 15th August in each year.

4 s—That the Committee shall meet monthly or as often as the President may deem necessary—five to form a quorum—provided that the President shall at any other time convene a meeting of the Committee on receipt of a requisition to that effect, signed by not less than four members of the Committee. 6—That the duties of the Committee shall be— (a) to secure additions to the membership of the branch, which additions shall be reported at each monthly meeting; (b) to canvass for votes personally, and by means of such help as may be obtainable in their respective localities at times of licensing elections ; (c) to arrange for public meetings in the several parts of the district in rotation as occasion may require for the purpose of discussing any questions that may arise relating to the administration or amendment of the licensing laws of the colony ; (d) generally to take such action as may be necessary from time to time in the direction of influencing local opinion, public sentiment and Parliamentary action in favor of temperance legislation and the just administration of the said laws.

‘ 7 —That at each annual meeting of members the Committee shall present a report and balance-sheet, duly audited, covering the business done immediately preceding. ‘ B—That8 —That the fore going rules shall not be altered or added to except by a majority of members at an annual meeting after the particulars of such proposed alteration or addition have been notified to the members by circular, or in one or more of the local papers at least a week prior to such annual meeting. ‘ W. E. Barker, ‘Pro VV. H. Jones, ‘Secretary Canterbury Temperance Union.’

Since then a Temperance Union had been formed in South Canterbury with a constitution somewhat similar, and they were met that night to consider the desirability of forming a branch in Temuka. After singing another hymn, The Rev D. Gordon said he had pleasure in giving his heartfelt co-operation with the movement. The cause of total abstinence had been struggling for many years, but it was gaining ground, and becoming more powerful. There were many organisations now helping the cause, which was the cause of God, of national prosperity, of humanity and of social good. Drink was an unnecessary luxury, and men could do without it. Prisoners in England war©

cut off from tlie use of it, and, notwithstanding prison fare, they came out of gaol healthier and stronger in body and mind. The liquor traffic was a terrible drain on the nation’s resources, In tingland £130,000,000 were spent annually in drink, and this, together with what was wasted through it, was a terrible tax on the people. The Chinese believed that the heavens had rained gold for four days in their country. If people would abstain from drink they would find the heavens raining gold all the year round. To show the horror the Grecians of old had of drink, they used to take their children to see a drunken man so that they might loathe drink. If the drink traffic was done away with there would be little use for our Courts uf Justice, and our town would prosper. It was their duty if they loved their town and district, and wished to see it prosper, to abstain from intoxicating drink. There was great talk now about the foot and mouth disease in England. The disease of drunkenness began in the head and went to the feet, so it was a foot and mouth disease of a terrible characier (laughter). It had its moral aspect. Anyone who read ‘ Sims on London,’ would see what a demoralising influence it had. There ministers of religion, doctors, and ladies were living in low lodging houses, the sport of the boys and the low characters of the place. These were brought there by drink. This was not the t>me or place to dwell on the moral and religious aspect of the question, but he might express his pleasure at finding that two Chancellors of the Exchequer, and the Royal Speech from the Throne had testified their satisfaction at the revenue from the sale of liquor being reduced. It showed they were doing something. He would move —‘ That it is desirable to form as early as possible a Branch of the South Canterbury Temperance Union, to be called the Temuka Branch.’

Mr Cooper seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. Mr Currie proposed— ‘ That with this view a Provisional Committee bo now formed.’

The motion was seconded by Mr Metson and carried.

The following Committee was then appointed : Revs. Hamilton, Gordon and Wills, Messrs Currie, Anderson, Cooper, J. Brown, Lynch, Metson, E. Brown, A. Spooner, W. Stewart (Orari), Rutland, Robinson, Eawdray, Philip and Binskin (Orari). Mr Job Brown then moved : —‘ That at the expiration of say, one month, from this date, or sooner if practicable, this Committee shall convene a meeting of members thus enrolled for the purpose of adopting the constitution and bye-laws of the Branch.’ He said it depended on themselves how soon the meeting would be called. It would be called as soon as they were strong enough, and if they enrolled themselves at once it could be called soon. He then urged on any present who not yet joined the Blue Ribbon Army to do so.

Mr Anderson seconded the motion and it was carried.

Mr Cooper moved—- 1 That the admission fee bo 2s, and the age for admission be 21 years. ’

Mr Russell did not think it desirable that persons under 2] years of age should be excluded. It would be better to allow them to enter as honorary members for half price, Mr Cooper explained that as no one under 21 years could vote at elections it would be no use in having them in the Union.

The Rev. Mr Gordon said if the object was to appoint a Vigilance Committee to watch political matters it was of no use having persons under 21 years of age in the Union, as they could not vote ; but he thought they might alter the resolution so as to admit all, for if some could not vote now they would be receiving an education that would direct their actions when they came of legal voting age. Mr Cooper consented to alter his resolution so as to admit all total abstainers. Mr Brown would second this if the fee was made 2s 6d instead of 2s.

Mr Cooper said they had widened the basis of admission, and could lessen the fee.

Mr A. Spooner seconded the motion, and it was carried.

After some hymns were sung, the Rev. D. Gordon proposed a vole of thanks to the Chairman. The Rev. Mr Hamilton in acknowledging the compliment said ‘ England expects that everyone shall do his duty.’ He had done his duty for England for several years, but now he was serving a Higher Master and he thought he could not do his duty better than by doing all he could to lessen the evils of drunkenness. The meeting then dispersed.