POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2205, 18 July 1914, Page 6

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED WOMEN'S BRANCH REMITS The third aunual conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League was continued at.the Sydney Street Hall yesterday, Mr. H. F. von Haast presiding. The New Executive. The first business proceeded with was the election of the executive for the ensuing year, the following being elected:—Sir Walter Buchanan (Wairarapa), Messrs. H. F. von Haast (Wellington), A. H. Russell (Hawke's Bay), W. H. D. Bell, M.P. (Wellington), D. H. Guthrie, M.P. (Oroua), C. B. Morison (Wellington), H. D. Acland (Christchurch), E. W. Alison (Auckland), R. Scott, M.P. (Otago), B. H. Woods (sec retaTy of the new Waterside Workers' Union, Auckland), C. Ferguson, (Marlborough), M. A. Clark (Auokland), and Jaines Wall (Taumarurrai). M.r3. J, P. Campbell (Auckland) and Mrs. Rolleston (Christohurch) were elected as the women delegates on the national executive. Mesdames R. Sl. B. Haslam (of Ohristehurch) and C. Earle (of Wellington), members of thi) old executive, declined to stand for reelection. Mrs. E. Hadfield, of Wellington, also declined to stand. The conference on. resuming discussed remits, .matters of organisation, and suggestions for electoral reform. Women's Branch Remits. The following remits, forwarded .by the Waiiganui • Women's Branch, and introduced by Mrs. E. H. Suisted, were discussed at' some length,, and finally adopted with practical unanimity:—(l) That provision should be made for an efficient system of teaching sewing m primary schools by making a special allowance .to education boards ior that purpose;'. (2) that in addition to the medical inspection of school children, legislation should be passed'compelling parents, when they can afford it, to take steps toiremody defects, and when parents aro unable to do so, making provision for the State to do it; (3) that provision should be made for tue taking of votes of invalids by tho visit of a returning officer che.day before an election'; (4) that the Government be asked to make special provision for a Government legal bureau whoro those- without means, and especially ,'deserted wives with children, would be able to get the assistance necessary to secure redress; (5) that the Government be asked toalter the law so that deserted wives' and children-should be able to have any Court order obtained for their support registered as a first lien on the money due to the husband by his employer; (6) that, the Government be asked to moke provision for the employment of a desorting husband, and the- impounding of a proportion of his earnings for the support of the-deserted , wife and children. . ■; . >, Speeches by Candidates. An interesting one and a half hours were then spent', in receiving suggestions from the delegates for improving the position of the party and the better • working, of-the branches and assistance of candidates. • ; ■• ; . ' ; Some'addresses were subsequently livered.by the following, who will stand in the Reform-interests for the seats unmed,at the coniiug elections:— Messrs. H. L. Michel (one of the West Ooast seats), M.J. Miller, (Lyttelton), R P. Hudson (Motueka), H. de Latour (Gisborne), T. .K. Hamilton (Awarua), l>. Harper (Kiccarton), and G. Skeat iSelwyn). ■ ' • ■ The chairman took the opportunity of congratulating the -Hon. 3. MacGregor, M.L.0., who had been an interested spectator 1 of the proceedings of the conference, on his elevation to. tho Upper House,' conveying the best wishes of the delegates. Mr. MacGregor suitably replied. '. . \ ■ . The conference closed with votes of thanks to the- outgoing executive and the chairman, who presided. ' . . Mis. Massoy, wife'of the Prime Minister, will give au "at home" at "Arikitoa" to-morrow afternoon, and tomorrow evening a social will be held in the Sydney Street Hall, at which the delegates will be the'guests of Ministers wid the local branches ■of the Reform League. I .