New Zealand Alliance.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4977, 16 March 1895, Page 3

New Zealand Alliance.

The annual business meeting of the above was held at Wellington yesterday morning, the Eev. L. M. Isitt presiding. The Secretary, Mr H. Field, read a long rcpoit on the transactions of the year. The year had been one of steady and constant work in tho midst of difficulties incidental to progress. Nearly cveiy pait ot tho colony had been reached by the organising agent, the licy. Mr Walker, and the removal of the headquarters to Wellington, decided upon last year, bad been cairiod into effect. The result of the first local option on the extinction of the drink traffic by the voles of the whole adult population of the colony was encouraging, and indicated that as a" live" issue the reduction claim had ceased to be, i<SUn the mam question of continuance mWt extinction there was a majority of G5» votes cast for the latter. Further, in 34 out of 61 electorates a larger vote vas recorded for Prohibition than for cither of tho other issues. In regard to those districts in which Prohibition had been earned, it might he admitted that there was a measure of sly grog-selling but not to the extent asserted. As regards tho finance, the year was not satisfactory, It was commenced with a doJcit of £8717s 3d, and closed with a deficit of £l2 8s Id, a reduction of £-15 Us 2d. But this was only accomplished by the use of a large poition of the late President's (SirW.Fox)legacyof£2o. The ordinary income of flic Alliance amounted to £509 2s 3d, which was the smallest contribution of any year since its formation. To carry out the work properly, the income ought to be at least double the amount mentioned. The curtailment of the expenditre meant lesscrcd work, That meant a reduction in the salaiy of the organising agent. The drink bill for 1894' showed a lessened consumption of liquor as compared with the previous year by 123,260 gallons. Including Mates, tho cost for 1891 was £2l7s 8d *jVi °^relation; Ma B a ' nst £3ls Gd lli the previous year. Iu conclusion the report said that apowcrsogreatas the liquor traffic would notbe easily arrested, and when the real struggle came, and there was a fastening down for the death grip, it need not be surprising if an immense amount of vitality and vigor was shown by tho" trade." This issue might be delayed, but it could not be averted. The first fruits had already appeared in numerous Prohibition townships North and South, and this could be taken asa pledge of greater things in store. ;