POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1874, 7 October 1913, Page 8

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

» NATIVE SUPPORT. MATTER OF ORGANISATION. The Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League concluded yesterday. The proceedings were not open to the Press, and tho following report was supplied. Mr. E. H. Williams presided:— Telegrams wero read from Thames Biipporters and from the Gre.vmouth branch, sending their congratulations on tho success of tho conference. Mr. Rawhiri Turi, of Pakipaki, on behalf of Native supporters in the Hastings district, declared through an interpreter it was the desire of his tribe to support the party in power. It was his intention to endeavour fo form branches of the leaguo among tho Maori community in tho Dominion, so that they might be in a position to help tho party at the next election. On the motion of Mr. H. F. Von Haast, it was decided unanimously—"That this conforcnce, having heard Mr. Rawhiri Turi, expresses its appreciation of his interesting address, and recommends the incoming executive to afford every •assistance to the branches represented by the speaker, and that every effort should be made to form branches among the Maoris throughout New Zealand. ' The reports of the committees' wero then received, and ordered to ba printed for discussion. Other business of the conference was of a private nature. Election of Officers. Respecting the election . of the new executive, twenty candidates were nominated for the fifteen seats.. The following wero oloctedMrs. C. Earle, ■Wellington; Mrs. R. St. Barbe Haslam, Christchuroh; Mr. John MacGregor, Dunedin; Mr. H. F. Von Haast, Wellington; Sir Walter Buchanan, Wairarapa; Mr. D. H. Guthrie, Oroura; Mr. R. Scott, Otago Central: Mr. E. W. 'Alison, Auckland; Mr. W. H. D. Bell, ■M.P., Wellington; Mr. H. D. Ackand, Christ-church; Mr. E. H. Williams, Hastings; Mr. C., B. Morison, Wellington; Mr. E. -C. Huie, Christchuroh; Mr. Ferguson, Marlborough; Mr. M. A. Clark, Auckland. Organisation. Tho Teport of the sub-committee sot op on Saturday to consider tho question or organisation and also the remits on •policy and general questions was, after considerable discussion, referred to tho executive as a basis of action, tho executive being authorised to make any rearrangement of electorates under the grouping system determined upon that might bo agreeable to the provincial executives concerned. In regard to tho remits upon general questions, the report stated that the 'committee had unanimously agreed to the following resolution: —"The committee, while not wishing in any way to limit the power of the conference to discuss the remits of a general Dature, sent forward by the several branches, suggests that the movers of the remits withdraw their motions, in order to .enable the conference to'devote the wholo of its time to the further consideration of the questions of finance and organisation for the approaching electoral campaign." The recommendation was agreed to, tho Auckland, Hastings, Cnris'tchurch, Te Puke, and other remits being withdrawn by the delegates of thoso branches. The final clause of the report, dealing with tlio character of remits to be submitted to future conferiencos, wa3 also agreed to, tho committee suggesting that first place in the business ot the conference be given to tho question of organisation, and the work of the league, and< to such ques- . tions as the, national executive shall consider of ft national character. Government's Splendid Services. On tho motion of Mr. H. D. Ackland, the following resolution was carried by ncclamatioc, with hearty,cheers:—''That this conference of delegates represent-' ing all parts of Now Zealand desires to Tecord its appreciation .of tho splendid services rendered to the country by tho Hon. W. F. Massey and the members of his Government, and also to express its approval of the sound and democratic legislation placed upon the , Statute Book during their term of office." Mrs. Haslam and Mr. G. J. Garlapd, on behalf of the. visiting delegates, moved hearty votes of thanks to the Wellington members for their hospitality; ■ A cordial vote of thanks accorded to the chairman (Mr. E. H. on ■the motion of Mr. A. S. Holmes, who paid a high compliment to tho ability with which Mr. Williams had conducted ' .the business. ' Tho conference closed at 4 p.m.