NATIONALISTS' ELECTORATE MEETING

Chronicle (Levin), 25 May 1946, Page 4

NATIONALISTS' ELECTORATE MEETING

OVER 100 DEEEGATES ATTENI) Approximately 100 delegates from the branches of the Otaki electorate organisations attended the annual meeting of the National Party at St. Luke's Parish Halli, Waikanae, on Thursday night. The ■meeting was presided over by Mr. P. J. Wall; who took the opportunity of welcoming delegates from the Hutt Valley area. Mr. Wall, in the course of his annual report, stressed the fact chat the activities of the individual aranches were the bedrock of the party's activities. He also weljomed delegates representing four junior branches within the electorrte, and complimented this side of ohe organisation on the enthusiasm xnd valuable contribution to the party. The annual statement of accounts was read and adopted. Election of Officers The election of officers for the coming year then took place and the following were appointed:— Electorate chairman: Mr. D. P. Todd (Levin) ; deputy electorate chairman: Mr, A. Moss (Heretaunga) ; electorate secretary: Mr. R. G. Romans (Levin) ; delegates to the divisional committee: Miss H. E, Bowen, Messrs. D. P. Todd, I. Bertram, P. Elliott and Brigadier Row; delegates to Dominion conference: Miss McQuirter (Upper Hutt) , Messrs. A. Moss, F. Monk and F. Driller; representative on policy committee: Mr. I. Bertram. It was resolved that the executive of the electorate comprise the branch chairman or his deputy and the branch secretary, the same to be convened when the boundaries were gazetted. General Matters Following a full discussion on the method to be adopted in selecting che candidates, it was resolved that the method should be a selectiori committee comprised of delegates in the proportion of oue to every 20 finaiicial members, such being one of the optional methods as laid down in the constitution. Mr. J. H. Mcllroy, chairman oi the Wellington division, addressed the meeting and covered many aspects of the party's activities. He stressed the vital importance oi every member within the part^ exerting his or her utmost tc ensure the success of the National Party in the approaching election Only organised development to the utmost degree had resulted in the party's success in the recent byelection at Raglan. , He urged all delegates to foSter and encourage :he mterest of the growing young New Zealanders in this Dominion. The Otaki electorate was suffering a severe loss in losing the services of Mr. P. J. Wall, who would now be residing in the Onslow electorate, but he was happy to assure those present that even though Otaki was -the loser, the party in general and Onslow in particular would still have the oenefit of Mr. Wall's enthusiastic and long-termed guidance. Mr. D. P. Todd, along with several others, warmly supported Mr Mcllroy's eulogistic appreciation of Mr. Wall's assistance to the party's cause. Appreciation was shown tc Mr. Wall by acclamation and musical honours. The meeting terminated with ? measure of thanks to the ladies oi Waikanae for providing supper.