The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-05-11 00:00:00

UNITED KINGDOM ALLIANCE.

A conference of the London friends of the United
Kingdom Alliauce was held at the Westminster Palace
Hotel, on Tuesday, to consider not merely the Per-
missive Bill, but the general aspect of legislation on the
liquor traffic. Mr. Swanton presided, and was sup-
ported by Archbishop Manning, Canon Jenkins, Mr.
W. S. Allen, M.P., Sir W. Lawson, LP., Mr. Thos.
Whitworth, M.P., and others.
•• • •

Mr. J. H. Raper, Parliamentary agent of the
Alliance' opened the proceedings. He said the Per-
missive Bill was by no means put forth as a rival
scheme to any of the numerous measures now before
Pailiament which proposed to deal with the liquor
traffic, but was simply intended to supplement any one
or more of the Bills which might be passed this Session.
Archbishop moved the first resolution.
"That this council, though recognizing that the Govern.
mast Licensing Bill now before the Legislature is in vale of
its clauses a slight amendment of the present anomalous and
destructive system, deeply regrets that the Bill contains no
provision enabling the inhabitants of a district to protect
themselves from any authority issuing licences in any
district when the owners and occupiers of property therein
are strongly opposed to the existence of the liquor traffic in
their midst."
Canon Jenkins seconded the motion.
Mr. W. S. Allen, M.P. while advising the Alliance
to accept all that was goal in other bills, urged them
never to cease in their agitation until Parliament had
oneeded the principle of local option embodied in the
Permissive Bill. He moved,—

-....—... _ _
That this Connell, while generally approving measures
placing increased restrictions and limitations up pi the liquor
traffic, calls most earnestly upon moral and Social reformers,
In and out of Parliament, to urge upon the Government the
wisdom and justice of inserting clauses in the Intoxicating
Liquors (Licensing) Bill, rendering it illegal to force licences
for the sale of intoxicating liquors into any locality against
the will of the people."
Mr. William Tombstone, of Manchester, seconded
the motion, which wait supported by Sir Wilfrid Law-
son, Kr. lie warred the friends of the Alliance not
to be over sanguine as to the result of the motion for
the second reading of his bill. If the votes in its
favour were larger in number than last year, it would
encourage them; if smaller, it would only spur them
on to renewed exertions.
The third resolution, widch, like the others, was
carried unanimously, was as follows
That this Council earnestly Implores the representatives
of the ',conk in the House of Commons to evince alike their
patriotism and sense of justice, by giving strenuous support
to the motion for the second reading of the Permissive Pro.
hlbitory Liquor 11111 on the elli day of May, and thereby
enable the people of each community to protec themselves
and their homes from the inroads of a traffic at war with
every interns of humanity, and adverse to the welfare and
prosperity of the nation."

•
A very large meeting was held in the Birmingham
Town Ball on Tuesday evening, in support of the
Permi.vive Bill. Mr. G. Dawaon presided, and among
the speakers were Mr. 0. Pemberton, Mr. Sullivan,
and the Rev. Hugh Stowell Brown. Reiolutions de-
ploring the evils resulting from drink and affirming
the principle of the popular veto were unanimously
passed.