Convention.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 46, 8 April 1899, Page 4

Convention.

About 100 1 epresentatives of the teiipei ane o party fiom the electorates of Otago assembled in Dunedin foi eonfeience on Match 31st and Apul Ist and 3id. Gieat enthusiasm \\as shown by the delegates in the meetings tor woik, and in the public meetings, but our space prevents us aiving moie than a buef lesume of some of the woik done. A papei on "Review and Forecast," piepied by the

Rev. F. W. laitt, was, in Ins unavoidable absence, read by the Rev. J. D. Joiv, of Balcluthns. The following resolution was, after discussion, cauiert unanimously — "This convention lejoices in the splendid ■ecoid of progiess alieady achieved in the giowth of piohibition sentiment thioughout the colony, and paiticularly in the ovei whelming evidence of the va'ue of prohibition alfoided bv the five yeais' expeiience of the Clulha ; and, looking iorwaid with confidence in Gkl, uiges all Christian and tempoianee woikeis, and all interested in the welfaie of the community, to ledoubled effoits in view of the appioaclaing local option polls." Miss Hobeits, of Chu-stehdich, introdueecl the quebtion of

Woman's Vote: Hei Influence and Bespoiwbihty," and concluded by moung— " That this convention lecognises the iaet llur theif weie raoio female roters than mal > ia the elp'toial mils of the colony at the lasl Section, .uidiealibPs, theiefore, that the issue ot local option depends veiv laigely on the women's vote ; and, seeinp; that women aie the chief suffeieis by the liquor tiaftic. thiou»h domestic tioublp, loss of wage"., etc., it uiijes that women should vote sohdlv for ' No Licence.' Miss Nicol seconded the lesolution, and it was cariied unanimously.

Administration AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LICI\3I\G LU\S Mr Bannerman read a paper on tbts question, prepaied by Mr G. Dash, of W.umate. The paper uigerl the impoitance of secuung the carrying out of the recomrapndations of the Royal Commission on the Police, paiticu-. larly the removing the force from the contiol of the Minister, and nesting it in the commissioner, who should be lesponsible to Parliament alone. Mr Bannerman concluded by moving the following lesolution, whiqh. was seconded by Mi Brown : " That the convention expresses its satisfaction at the effoits of the police to secuie the due enfoi cement of the licensing laws It leeogntess the difficulties under which they labour, and mgss upon the Government that the stiong loeommendations made before the Police Commission by magistrates and police inspector, and by the Commission itself, be given effect towithout any unnecessary delay." After discussion, the motion was cauied unanimous iv. Mr A. S. Adams addressed the convention on

" Our Legislativa Demands." He gave a most interesting lesume of the legislation since 1873— tracing its giadualde- 1 velopment. He then explained the provisions^ of the bill introduced lait session by Mi G. J. Smith, M.H.E., which still embodies the demands of the temperance paity. The following resolution was then carried : — " This convention, while le-afiirnring th& legislative demands of the paity as embodied in the bill introduced into the House of Representatives dmmg the session of IS9B by Mi G J. Smith, M.H.R., declaies that theie is urgent necessity foi immediate amendmentsof the law to make provision for removing the local option poll from political influence, the efficient conduct of the poll by competent officers, prevention ot distnbntion of dodgeis at our next polling booths, and pioper supeivision by scrutineers; and mgesupon Parliament to pass an Act providing for these matters dm ing its next session." Lengthy discussions took place le

Orgairsing for the coming contest, and resolutions wereadopted which will matenally augment the No License vote. A special committee was appointed tofurther temperance work amons; the young,, and a lesolution was earned uigingtbe members and adherents of the vanous chinches! to bear in mind the impoitant fact that they will this year have an < opportunity (the last. of the eenturv) to vote for the abolition of the drink traffic. T.R.U. committee meets on Thursday evening at 7.30.