MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2148, 25 March 1870, Page 2

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Our readers will remember that at a recent public meeting of persons favorable to tho establishment of a Mutual Improvement or some kindred society in Dunedin, a Committee was appointed to prepare a draft constitution, and to bring it up for consideration at the adjourned meeting to be held on Tuesday next. We are informed that at a meeting of Committee held last evening, it was resolved to bring up in tho first instance net a complete constitution in detail, but simply a number of resolutions setting forth the principles upon which the society should be established ; the objects it should aim to accomplish ; and the kind of means it should adopt with a view to their realisation. Supposing the resolution to be affirmed by Tuesday evening’s meeting, it is then proposed to fit upon a given sum that shall be required either as an annual or season subscription, or else as a mere entrance fee ; and to defer the question of all further details till a meeting can be convened of “ enrolled members ” —that is of members who have paid the amount fixed upon by Tuesday’s meeting. The reasonableness of some such arrangement as this will bo self-evident; otherwise, persons having no serious intention of hereafter becoming members, might occasion annoyance by insisting upon their fight 1q discuss the whole constitution of a society without being members at all. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that some payment should precede the light to vote, simply as a guarantee of good faith. Tho smaller that payment can consistently be made the better. We have been shown a copy of the resolutions as agreed to. They seem to us to contain tho constituent elements of a really valuable society; whether a sufficient amount of vitality can be thrown into it iu the shape of lively interest and intelligent action on the part of those for whoso appeal benefit it is proposed the Society should be established, to render it a permanent success remains to be scon. In tho meantime the effort has our best wishes, and deserves those of the community at largo. Wo subjoin the resolutions specially setting forth the Committee’s views respecting the “Objects" and “Means” to be employed : (Extract from resolutions to be submitted for consideration on Tuesday next.) “ Objects. —lts objects shall be the pleasurable and profitable employment of some of the leisure hours of its members, with a view to their advancement in useful knowledge aud their ability to utilise the knowledge acquired. “ Means .---The means to be employed shall bo the delivery of lectures j the reading of original essays ; select readings from approved authors ; friendly discussions, &c.; and also such musical or other entertainments as the Committee of Management (hereafter to be appointed) shall deem likely to aid in accomplishing the objects of tho Society ; but with a view to harmony and good feeling, the Committee of Management sha'l not permit controversial theology, sectarian differences, or violent party politics to bo introduced into any of the “ means ” as herein set forth, unless tho subject shall have been first approved of by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any general meeting.