GISBORNE NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3804, 15 April 1913, Page 6

GISBORNE NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The annual genera! meeting of the Gisborne No-license League was held in St. Andrew’s Schoolroom last evening. Owing doubtless to the inclemency of the weather there was only an attendance of 16 persons.

The Rev. F. W. Chatterton. President, occupied the chair. Eight new members were elected to tin. League.

Apologies were received from the Rev. L. Dawson Thomas, Mrs Johnston, and Miss Lizzie Mo rice for nonattendance.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. The President, in reviewing the past year’s work, said that ho wished to emphasise one or two points which were fresh in their minds. It rvas always difficult to work up enthusiasm in any year after an election. There had, however, been as useful work done in the past- year, as in any year since he (the speaker) bad taken office. They hoped in the future, as in the past, members would take their part in the work. He referred to the late which had befallen All- ALaleolm’s Bill during the first- session. What between some members desiring t - * reduce the majority on the No-license issue, and others seeking to secure a bare majority with regard to National Prohibition, the Bill bad fallen between two stools. _ He referred to Mr H. I). Bedford’s visit- to Gisborne, and stated that Temperance reformers were agreed that the throe-fifths majority ought to be reduced. It was a quite unnecessary handicap, and tended to give the trade an unfair monopoly. The coming year should be one of vigorous work. He bad hojjed that the meeting that night would have been well attended, and that some new blood would have been introduced into the office-bearers.

The following report was submitted by the lion, secretary (Rev. J. A. Locliore):

“In presenting a secretarial report for the last- year’s work I think I am same i if saying that valuable, and what we believe will prove to be. fruitful, work lias boon undertaken and carried partially through. I refer, first,_ to our League membership campaign, which lias already strengthened our hands. Mr Bedford commented on this large membership favorably and remarked tl: it lie knew of no other su'.h membership elsewhere in the Dominion.

“Next, and what ultimately will prove of nioie importance, is the majority pledge campaign now in full swing. All who have looked closely into the position of the party in New j Zealand have come to the conclusion - that it is only along the lines of this : campaign that one anomalous position in the political field can be rectified. "\ “We have held two executive meet- j ings, nine League meetings, and one | workers’ conference during the year. ; At the latter gathering we were great- j ly delighted and inspired by the me- j seiico and speeches of the president and secretary of the Alliance. “The visit of Air H. 1). Bedford was j tile source of much pleasure and satis- j faction to ns. His able and eloquent j addresses left nothing to be desired. j [[is visit secured « good send off for | the majority campaign. “In the main it may bo justly con- I eluded that solid and useful work has j been put into the year.” The report was unanimously adopted. The statement of accounts was pro- i sented by the lion, treasurer (Air D. j Mnrice), and showed a satisfactory position. a small balance in hand being revealed.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : —President-, Rev. F. AY. Glmtterton (re-elect-ed): vice-presidents. Messrs M. McLeod and \Y. Hay (re-elected); bon. secretary, Rev. J. A. Loehoro (re-elect-ed) : lion, treasurer, Air 1). Moriee (reelected) : executive, officers ex officio and Alessrs Hastio, Mead, Jas. East. Coleman. J. A. Jones, Burgess and Mesdames Johnston, A\ alker and "Wilkes; roll secretary, Mrs Wilkes; bon. auditor, Air A. Graham. A lieartv vote of thanks was earned to St. Andrew’s Church authorities for srranting the use of St. Andrew s Schoolroom free ol charge for meetings.