THE CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1510, 5 August 1912, Page 6

THE CONFERENCE.

: IMPRESSIVE GATHERING OF ~—. .' ' DELEGATES. [ PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATED. The proceedings at the conferenco were opened by the Prinio Minister; (the Hon. W. F. Massey) v;hose appearance was greeted with heady cheering, followed by : . the. singing of "Rule Britannia." 'Mr, Massey, in extending a welcome to the delegates, said it gave him great pleasure to nieot renreseiitatives of tha men and the women who had stood to the party and maintained its principles ~ during the twenty-one years it had been in Opposition. (Applause.) Representative of every olectorato from tho Bay ■. ~ of Islands to the Bluff, tho gathering ■was tho very strongest indication that the people of New Zealand had definitely decided that the public business should bo conducted on clean: democratic lines—and in those terms tho policy of ihe Reform Xeague was summarised. (Applause.) It phowed that tho people of New Zealand .had shaken off their lethargy and de- . termined to tako an active interest in the oonduct of their affairs, and there was no better guarantee of the proper conduct of political business than a itrtpg and healthy public- opinion. ... . • Regarding tho work of, the conference, Mr. Massoy said the most important business would , be to arrange a scheme of organisation and to prepare for the general elections whenever they :night come, though during.the last few weeks tho prospects of a general election had faded into \i\ff dim find distant future. The ilrst' fluty of the delegates was to arrango a full and complete organisation, by which, when the necessity arose, there would be a strong and popular candidate for every electorate with a strong and complete organisation" to support him. Ho was sure that tjie conference would )io productive of good far the part}-, and if that was its result it would bo productive of good for tho country. (Applause.) ,' Mr. F. .F. Hockly war. unanimously plectod chairihan of tho conference. The Leader and the Party.. The first, remit was moved by Mr. G. J. GarlancV (Auckland provincial district) who proposed a motion recording high appre-ciation-of !he -valuable services rendered to the 'Country by the Reform members' of Parliament, under Hie able -leadership of 31 r. Massey, and congratulating him find them oil the success that had erown•fd their long and arduous struggle for the right. The motion was seconded by Mr. C. A. C. Hardy (Selwyu), and supported by many delegates, who concurred in their expressions of gratification at the success of the party, and in congratulating Mr. MaSsey and his party upon the manner in which they had conducted the fight for the party. ' There were many sincere expressions of esteem and admiration for Jlr. Massey personally. The motion was carried with vigorous applause, followed by cheers for Mr. Mnssey, (lie singing of "For He"s n Jolly Good Fellow," and cheers for Mrs. Massey. ; ' Acknowledging the compliment, the . Prime Minister said that he and his colleagues deeply appreciated the congratulations of the conference. Ono thing "to Tie proud of was that the party had stood the test of adversity, and lie believed that It would stand with equal credit the test nf prosperity. (Applause.) He was confident, with suc-li help and assistance as had:been given in past years, the repreffliittttivos of '.he party in Parliament would control the destinies of the country for mmn" years to come.- (Applause.) Diixirw the morriilisr all the meinbeTs if the Ministry: visited tho conference, nnd were giv<ln nn' enthusiastic welcome. T.ho. chairman expressed, the pleasure of (lie delegntes that the lenders of tile party hnA accepted their invitation to join m tho proceedings. THE REFORM CAMPAIGN. : , -'■' ORGANISER'S RBt'OJtT. The followir." report was presented by ttin official orjiuiiser (Mr. <... P. Linde¥'^fr the d**e of the retirement of b!r Harry ii.tiuson, W the appointment

of Mr. W. F. Majscy. as Leader of the Opposition, • we, as a party, were in a difficult position, .so far as organisation as a party was- concerned. The party in office, by tho,power of patronage, had so. influenced the electors of this country that the task of. unseating them appeared to Ik> almost an impossibility. It seemed hopeless, to build \\y an organisation that would- placo the Opposition in the House in anything like tne position that was duo to them and their policy. However, fortune favours tho brave. On the occasion of Mr. Masssy being appointed Loader of , tho Opposition in lfllH, the party supporters in Auckland entertained Mr. Massey at a dinner, and within _ a few days of that function the sympathisers with the party met in Auckland, and resolved themselves into an electoral committee, it being fully recognised that something would have to be done to cops with iho position of political matters and ; ths abuses so 'rampant amongst the then Government supporters.' The committee referred to called a meeting, which was held in the Chamber of Commerce buildings, Auckland, and it was resolved to form a Political League, and for the time being it was known .as the Auckland Electoral- League. This body did -.yeoman service for the 1 -party, especially in the north, and . more ' particularly Auckland district,. where the. destinies- were- ably guided by- many, well-known supporters of .tho'party.. The-party"-from--the very first recognised.that in the,new;leader they had , a. man who was imbued with ;,v.spirit of true patriotism'; they saw latentpuwer iii their Jiew , chief,' , and'every man. stood by- him, and feels'proud ,to. : havo. tho honour to;day of seeing -.him.:take :-. his rightful position in Parliament'and thecountry; ■ " . ■ Birth of the League. '•The organisation known as the Political Reform League actually came into existence in the year 1908, and from that year the party has been known as the Reform party.. Since 1006, Mr. K. R. Martin acted as organiser of the party, and that gentleman deserves the greatest credit and the-.thanks of', this conference for, his ..able- services . , rendered to thoparty and its supporters. Upon Mr. Martin's voluntary-retirement, tho party appointed Mr. C. P. Lindegreen to succeed him. Since his appointment active steps have been taken in thoroughly organising the sympathisers and supporters of tho party by tho formation of branches of the league. This has met with some measure of success, and it has been' gradually felt that the. time had arrived when a inciting such as this should bo convened ior the purpose of adopting n constitution having a definite scheme- of organisation, which shall have for its object the embracing of every electorate in New Zealand; that the party may be so consolidated thiit it will secure at the polls a sufficient majority of the candidates offering themselves for election to the pesple-'s Parliament. During the year branches have been established in many electorates in both islands, mid are in a vigorous condition. A large proportion of this representative gathering are appointees of the said branches. "A pleasing feature in connection with the movement occurred last .May, when, after a> conference with Mr. Massey, the political organisation in existence, maintained by the farmers of Canterbury, and known tis the Farmers' Political Protection Federation, decided to join forces with the New Zealand Political Reform League. This bodv had been doing active political work under the able guidance of Mr. Daviel Jones, and by this joining of forces tho Reform League were fortunate to be able to retain the services of this gentleman. The Canterbury Provincial Executive of tho League are to be complimented on the excellent work done by them, not only in their own district, but throughout the whole of the South Island, by the formation of branches, enrolment of member.--, and the collection of funds. Thu whole of this work has been done and the expenses entirely borne by tho Cun- . terbury Executive. "Auckland lias also formed a Provincial Executive, mill has done serviceable work in the formation of branches. Our thanks are due to nil those who have ungrudgingly given their services to brin<j about the'satisfactory position that exists today.* Women's Branches, "The women of New Zealand are to be congratulated oil ths keen interest taken in th« recent elections, and by the continued activity displayed by them in the formation of branches, nnd the part they nre taking in the counsels of the lengue. "It is worthy of note that the Native idee are interesting themselves in tho Reform movement, and evince a desiro to have branches formed in theic electorates. "The executive of the league are dessrvin? of the. hearty and sincere thanks of this conference for the ablo manner in which they havo controlled the affairs of the organisation, and by their efforts have brought abaut the magnificent result of to-day. "The splendid services rendered to the party and the league'by Mr. W. C. Buchanan command our ivarmest appreciation. Th-3 thanks of- the league are also due to the press, who have so ably and loyally assisted the Reform movement, throughout the Dominion. "In -conclusion, it is realised that we owe a debt of gratitude, to all those men and women throughout New Zealand, who by their zcol and loyal, efforts are responsible for placing the Reform party and its organisation in the position it is in to-day, nnd to them are duo the best thanks of this conference. "Ladies and gentlemen, this conference, representative of the Dominion, bears eloquent testimony to tho vitality of the Reform party. AVe havo tho fullest confidenco (hat our Leader will bring down a progressive policy that will command tho confidence of the country. It is now our duty ami'privilege to streiitrthoii his hand, by definite action in drawing up ;i Constitution and adopting a plan of or"anisation, with an assured finance tli=- ■ will placo us in an impregnablo position. The report was. adopted. Organisinn Work. \ committee comprising ten delegates from cuch island was appointed to report upon tho various organisation schemes submitted by branches. A second committee of seven members was appointed to report upon the advisability of establishing or appointing an official organ of the league. They will report to the conference en- Monday. The greater part of the afternoon sitting was occupied with the consideration, of various proposals intended to assist in consolidating the of the party. ' With this object the. conference resolved that- provision should be made in the constitution of the l«R°ue foT the enrolment as , honorary members of branches of young people under 21 years of age. The' idea -was that young people should be encouraged, to take mi active inter- ' «<t in the government ol tho Dominion. The desirability of establishing brunches of the Women's Political and Reform League in every electorate was niitiiiimo\i«ly affirmed. The conference! will resume thi? morn- ■ ing when tbn principal buMnc?.-* will b<? the rnnsirteTatinn of reromTrendntion* ' from tho committee.! appointed on Satur-