NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2529, 16 June 1909, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE

ANNUAL MEETING* [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH. June 13. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance commenced this morning. Delegates from all parts of the colony were present. Mr. Wesley Spragg, President of the Alliance, occupied the chair. ? Mr Spragg briefly welcomed all those present. ' lie congratulated the temperance party on the progress made during the last three years, and asked one and all to assist- in making the Convention, the most important yelfA. heid. The llev. F. W. Isitt submitted the aunual report, which placed on record the self-denying efforts of all those workers whose untiring work and etier- • gy had been instrumental in giving an opportunity of showing the position in which the cause now stands. Out- of 76 electorates, only 15 carried coininuance, with aj majority for liquor; 60 had a majority for no-license, and of these no fewer than 15 secured a 55 per cent- majority. A total vote of 221.471 was given at the last poll, an increase of 22,703 over the vote of 198,768 in 1905. For the whole of the Dominion the majority for no-licens® was 33,331, which was one of the most gratifying features of the elections. The report continued to make mentionof the visit of the Rev. 11. B. Hammond, of Sydney, of the Rev. H. T - Palmer, Mrs. Harrison Lee, Miss Hughes, and Mr Bnmtne.il. who helped on the cause, delivering lectures in all parts of the Dominion. Temperance intructioii in schools was then slightly referred to. The report then dealt very strongly with the issue oi : wholesale -licenses m the King Country, and referred to the clause relating to the reduction issue. , A It. was decided to refer several details to the committee to report to the Convention on. Thursday. The balance-sheet was delivered bv the Rev. Mr. Dawson. A balance ot £63 14s lOd of income over expenditure was revealed, and the assets were shown to be £236 2s 10d. . , Mr. Wesley Snragg. of Auckland, was again elected President. The election of the other officers was left over till the -Thursday meeting.