NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1350, 12 June 1878, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the members of this association waa held last night at the Temperance Hall. ■ The attendance was but small. _ The chair was taken by Mr Kent, vice-president of the association, who opened the proceedings by stating that he was happy to say that the association already possessed 200 members who had paid the subscription. He was proud to Bee that the representatives of the Press were present. He hoped that the Press would behave towards this association as it had done to the Working Men's Association some years .ago; They asked for no' favor, but for at least fair treatment of their words and actions. 'lf the Press could not find fault with their principles, he hoped they would not do so with the advocates of jbose principles who werp chiefly dtawn from the wprking population of New Zealand. He ponpluded by reminding those present that £heir time was limited, and exhorting them to make any remarks upon the programme which was about to be submitted to them as brief as possible. He would suggest that the secretary read the programme through, and that it be submitted to the meeting seriatim. The secretary, Mr Joseph Jebson, said that the members had already received copies of the programme, which had been printed by the working committee of the association elected at a former meeting. The committee bad met twicy, and had deemed it advisable that the programme should be printed. It was for the meeting to say whether they would adopt it either in part or wholly, or they might reject it altogether. In the last case fhey would have to send it back to the committee, who had spent sbxne time and had brought some knowledge and experience to bear upon it. The first clause he said had been already adopted by the present Government. He did not say they had done this at the suggestion of the association, because the association had not communicated with the Government. It showed, however, that the association were on the right track, and it should be an encouragement to them to go on. He then read the following : New Zealand Political Reform Association, The objects of this Association are to support a policy which is mainly comprised in the fob lowing propositions; 1. Manhood Suffrage,—All citizens of tho ago of twenty-one years, who have resided in the colony twelve months, and three months consecutively in any electoral district, to he entitled to be registered as an elector in that district. 2. Revision of the Registration of Electors Act. . 3. Basis of representation to be population. 4. General Elections of the Colony.—Elections to take place .in each district on the same. day. Voting to be by baUot. Jw o person to have more than one vote.

: 5. Keduction of indiroct taxation, and the imposition of a property arid income tax. 6. Triennial Parliaments. 7. Members of Parliament to be paid. 8. E tucation. —Free, non-denominational, and compulsory. !>. Rtform of land laws. 10. To oppose the attempts of acclimatisation societies to enforce gnine laws. The discussion on the clauses of the above was 'very brief, until clause 10 war reached, i\\3 onltf alteration made being-in clause 1, in which the word "citizens" was replaced by the word? : ' male persons." On tho 10th clause considerable dist-ussion took place. Mr Edward J. Wakefield thought it adTisable to omit the clauee altogether. Another member thought game laws very good, as they kept people out of mischief.

Mr Thomas Graham thought the laws most iniquitous. No property should be considered private upon which no private mark could be put. It was all very well to say that gentlemen imported game at their own expense. The G-overnment had granted subsidies for the introduction of fish, birds, and animals, and the people had as much right to these as the gentlemen. If he were to chase a cat in the street, he would be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, but that was no more cruel than it was for gentlemen to hunt hares with horses and dogs. Babbits were a pest already, and very soon hares would be found a pest too. Last year they had eaten the peas in his garden to any extent. He could not touch them without subjecting himself to prosecution. However, if he could have got a chance at them, he would have put them into the pot. Mr Wakefield pointed out that the gamelaws here were very different from those at home. As for hunting, a large number of people could here enjoy the sport, but in England it was an exclusive amusement. A member moved an amendment, making the clause read —" To oppose the payment of any further subsidies from public money for the operations of Acclimatisation Societies." After further discussion,

Another member proposed that the clause should be, "Abolition of the whole of the game laws." Another member proposed the excision of the clause altogether. The Chairman was in favor of this course being followed. It was finally determined to strike the clause out of the programme, which was then adopted. The chairman said that as tho association was now formed and its views expressed, it would be its business now to call upon Parliament to endorse those views. He thought the members should know the opinions of their representatives on these subjects. It had been suggested that, as Mr Moorhouse had not yet called a meeting of the electors to give an account of his actions in the past he should be told that it was advisable that he should call a meeting of his constituents in Christchurch. That meeting might be made a test one for gathering the opinions of eth other two members. If these did not agree with the association it would be in a worse fosition than if it was not represented, t would be misrepresented. To expect that the association could get what it wanted without knowing whether those gentlemen would support it or not would be childish. He had no doubt that if a letter was sent to Mr Moorhouse, that gentleman would call a meeting and let his intention be known. Mr Richardson had held a meeting, and so had Mr Stevens. A member said that Mr Richardson had not.

The Chairman recollected the meeting, because when a vote of confidence was moved he moved as an amendment that a vote of thanks should be passed, and neither resolution was carried.

Mr Walker thought it very necessary that a constituency like that of Christchurch should be represented in tho Parliament of New Zealand. The Premier had delivered a most eloquent address at a meeting which was almost unanimous in his favor, and as the Christchurch members were known to be opposed either to his policy or to himself it would be necessary that, if those gentlemen refused to endorse the opinions of the association, a petition or address should be sent to Parliament.

The Chairman —That is not the question. Mr Walker "continued —He thought they could bring pressure to bear to show that those gentlemen were not in accord with the views of the constituency. Such a petition as he had suggested would be numerously signed, and should be sent to the House. The Premier would, of course, meet with a great deal of opposition, and he (Mr Walker) thought should receive as much support from them as possible. The Premier's address had brought the association into existence, and it should be determined to be represented. If the members for this constituency would not endorse the association's views, an address should state that the association would stand by the Premier's policy, as expressed at the late meeting. He moved that correspondence be entered into with those gentlemen, and that the programme of the association be forwarded to them.

The Chairman said that all that was wanted was that they should address a public meeting. The Secretary considered it necessary that the opinions of the Christchurch members should be ascertained. One had held a meeting and had received a vote of confidence from his constituents. He (Mr Jebson) had an idea that Mr Richardson had also had a meeting, the result of which was as the chairman had stated. He believed it was at the time of the railway agitation. Another member was an old and tried friend of Canterbury whose real opinions they should ascertain That member had expressed himself at Mr Stevenß' meeting as " open to an engagement." Up to the present time he had not advocated in Parliament the- views of the association. It would be d good thing if something was done to obtain from him an expression of opinion as to what his future uourse would be. He (Mr Jebson) heard that Mr Moorhouse was at Wellington and very ill, and possibly might be unable to hold a meeting. That gentleman might be communicated with, but it would not be desirable that the association should act in the matter. It was not very strong as it had not lived very long, and to \vy iU strength just now was not desirable, 'its growth might be crippled. He would move—" That it be left to the committee to do what they can to get the information which it is desirable to have." He might here say that tvhe committee had resolved tq meej; every week for' eight weeks. He' thought these, matters were better left to a committee to work out than submitted to a general meeting. Mr Walker urged immediate action. It would be sufficient to ask their representatives if they would support the present Ministry. The association looked to the Premier. The Chairman said the association had nothing to do with the Premier. They wanted those men who would advocate their principles. The resolution proposed by the secretary, having been seconded, was put to the meeting and agreed to. Thd Chairman stated that the committee met every Tuesday, and invited members of the association to attend and assist the committee as much as possible. • " The meeting then closed.