PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 196, 14 May 1920, Page 10

PROTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION

CONFERENCE DECISIONS. The conference of the Protestant Political Association was continued yesterday. Officers were elected as follow:— President, Mr. Ewen M'Gregor; vicepresiclonts, Kcv. Knowles-Smith, Mr. A. Donald, Mr. G. Harford; members of executive, Messrs. 11. 11. Scabrook, W. Kemp, R. U. Horslcy, A. S. Scott, and G. Amos; treasurer, Mr. W. Nieol; national lecturer, l!cv. Howard Elliott; Dominion secrpfary, Mr. 11. S. Bilby. An arrangement was made that the council should wnit on the Prime Minister at 9.30 this morning. Consideration of remits from groups was resumed. After a lengthy and animated discussion it was decided to abolish divisional centres. The promotion of Industrial enterprise, cost of living, profiteering, and the relation of the Board of Trade thereto wore discussed, referred to the groups, and to the national executive. It was resolyed that tho council approve of the steps proposed to adopt an official organ. Motions were carried: (1) Viewing with alailm 'the increasing immigration of coolie Asiatics and requesting tho Government to so regulate this immigration as to preserve a white New Zealand; (2) expressing appreciation of the action of the Wanganui Borough Council in bringing lioman Catholic property underthe Bating Act; (8) calling on the Government to introduce legislation to deprive a member of Parliament of his seat where it could bo proved that the member was iruilty of disloyalty. _ It was deemed; "Inasmuch as it is recognised that "the education of tho young people, of this country in loyalty to Sovereign and Constitution, is of tho groatest importance, this council make TOuresontations to the Sunday School ■unions and heads of churches asking that in tho curriculum of tho Sunday Schools opportunity be afforded and provision made for the teaching of the history of Protestant principles and of the Protestant faith." A motion was carried: "That this council affirms its appreciation of and devotion to the present systom of free, compulsory, and undenominational education, and' calls upon the Government to further that system by tho provision of adequate sanitary and aesthetic schools, wherein tho highest ideals of the children may be cultivated, the free inspection and attention to medical, dental, and optical needs of the children; the more generous remuneration of teachers, so that' the best talent may bo attracted to the profess'ion and further, that the Government safeguard tho system by tho withdrawal of all grants and privileges to denominational schools." It was resolved unanimously that an effort bo made to secure a visit to New Zealand of Sir Edward Carson, and tailing his ability to come that a delegation from Ulster be arranged for in order that the people of New Zealand may have, tho claims of Ulster placed before them. • Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to tho retiring officers, minute secretary and reporter, the conference, which waa tho most successful in tho history of the movement, concluding with the . National Anthem.