WORKING MEN'S CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3023, 9 March 1917, Page 7

WORKING MEN'S CLUBS

CONFERENCE BUSINESS. The conference of delogates of Working Men's Clubs has concluded. The chairman, Mr. A. E. Benouf, of Napier, in his opening remarks, referred to the preliminary conference held iii -Napier in October last, when it was considered advisable to form an association of chartered clubs. Tho present meeting had been called for the purposo of establishing such an association on sound business linns. Mr Benouf moved, and Mr. J. W. Smith (letonc) seconded: "That an as'Sqeiation be formed consisting of ohauored clubs throughout New Zealand." This was carried unanimously. Draft rules which had been drawn »P hy tho acting executive were adopted.

The matter of financing the association was thoroughly discussed, and satisfactorily .arranged on u pro rata basis of membership of each affiliated club. Messrs. Renouf (Napier) and D. P. Loasby (Greytown) were nominated for tho -position of president. Mr. Henouf obtained the permission of his proposers to withdraw, pointing out thatowing to many business calls, he felt he would bo nnablo to give that attention and timo to the position which its importance required. Mr. D. P. Loasby was then elected president of the association for tho ensuing year, whilo Mr. J. If. Folks (Palmcrston North) was elected vice-president, and Mr. A. C. Harrison (Napier) secretary and treasurer.

Tlie following items were fully discussed, and were recommended to the executive, which in duo course will evolve schemes for putting them into operation by the whole of the affiliated clubs: Interchange of membership, circulation of a black list, promotion of education, abolition of locker s.ystom, encouragement of tho social side of club life and healthy recreation, interchange of library books, strict observance of all licensing laws affecting chartered bodies.

It was resolved that tho annual meeting of the association be held at Pal merston North.

Mr. Loasby, on being included into the chair, remarked that his appointment to the important position of president of tho executive came as a great surprise. Notwithstanding the fact that ho was a very busy man, lie would endeavour to carry out the duties to tho best of his ability. Ho was fully alive to the fact that, owing to the probable troublesome limes ahead, much work would devolvo uuay_ the executive during tho ensuing year. However, ho had no fear of the ultimate results, and urged upon all the affiliated clubs to conduct their business in such a clean.,straightforward, and honest manner that no fault could be found. He felt that no club, howover well managed and conducted, should consider that there was no room for improvement. Ho was satisfied that tho formation of the. association would materially assist in the uplifting of all the clubs, and would prove to tho people in general that its chief aim was the betterment; of members. The conference closed with a hearty vote of thanks :<i the retiring tiding executive (Messrs. Ronouf, Hill, and Harrison), who had been responsible— in conjunction with Mr. T. Smith (Wellington)—for the initial work of cslah-j lishing the association. Thanks wvre also passed to the Wellington and ?<■- tflno Working Men's Club for their kindness in entertaining tho dclegatos during their stav here. For Chronic Ohwt fVunplaints, Woods' Great IVppcrT.irt Ore.*