THE AIMS OF REFORM

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1758, 24 May 1913, Page 5

THE AIMS OF REFORM

PARTY. i SERIES OF REMITS. FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Spcclal Correspondent.) Auckland, May 23. p Several matters of importance aro to come up for discussion at tho fifth annual conference of tho delegates fromtho Auckland provincial branches of the New Zealand Political Kcforin League, which is to be held in Auckland on Wednesdav, June 4. The Prime Minister (tho lion. W. F. Massey) is to preside, and j will deliver tho presidential address. J.no following remits by the provincial ox- c ecutive will be considered:— That this conference congratulates tho I. Government upon its efforts to bring s about reciprocal treatment in the mat- , tor of, old ago pensions between tho Commonwealth and the Dominion, and expresses the hope that the agroe- [ ment, in that direction, arrived at l between the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher ] and the Commonwealth Government 1 will bo ratified by tho Federal and . Dominion Parliaments. , That this conference congratulates tnie , Ministry upon tho successful introduc- | tion of its reform policy, and more ( particularly upon tho abolition of , political patronage in connection with the appointments to the Public Ser- ( vice, and trusts that its efforts to secure the reform of the Upper House by substituting an electivo for tho present nominative Chamber may prove successful during tho coming session. , . That this conference is of opinion that the Native land laws should be so amended that tho Native owners of land should pay both local and general taxation in the same way as European owners. That in tho opinion of this branch tho Departmental methods of valuing land should lie reformed, and that full consideration should bo given by tho valuer in regard to improvements and to tho original carrying capacity of the l-md. That tliis conference cordially endorses the resolution recently nassodby tho Auckland Provincial Executive recommending the members of the f league to become subscribers to tho ' Reform monthly, "Light and Lib- ' erty." ' That the conference further urges tho adoption of tho new journal as the ; official organ of tho league, and, as : far as the Auckland provinco is concorned, pledges itself to secure for it ! tho largest possible circulation both amongst lea.gue members and the gon- ■ eral public. Other remits by tho branches named will also be difcussed as follow:—(1) Tau- • ranga: "That municipal elections bo con--1 ducted by similar methods of recording ; votes as Parliamentary election,_ and ■ practices barred by law for Parliament--3 ary election be similarly barred for all local election." (2) Ohaeawai: "That this } eonforence consider wkit steps can bo ' taken to bring the average member of - this league into closer touch with the aims and objects of the Reform party. 0 (3) Oroliunga: "That, in the opinion of s this branch, it is desirable that tho uov- ? eminent valuations should bo upon a fair basis. The present valuations are excessive, and sufficient consideration is not r given l to improvements." (1) Auckland t West: "Tlkil the No-License and National Prohibition poll should be taken on the 0 samo- (lav as the election of licensing com,r mitte.es." (5) Taupaki: "In tho opinion of this branch, and in the best interests of the country, all main roads » should bo made" bv the Government. AH u lands abutting on main roads and railway -• lines should lie farmed out ami not aliow- }} ed to lie waste as now to the extent ot Hiousniuls of acres in tlic Auckland distriet." '