FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1867, Page 286

FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

At a meeting held' in NeLson,* on.Tuesday^ XtaviVoW.-. .-on the motion ,of;'Mr Luctie,'Waa unaminously appointed Seore taryjto the; League,in room of T)r Giles, resigned. ;It 'wasm dyed that Mr Barnicoat be appointed Vice-President to take theiplace of ,Dr Irvine^but Mr Barnicoat, who ' was- present; having'‘declined accepting’ the.otHce, the,. action: was.'delayed in the meantime. Dr.; Irvine agreeing to act till:!his'successor was appointed.' A letter was read from the Honorable E. W; Stab requesting to be enrolled as; a member ..of tho .Leaoue, and enclosing a yearfs subscription of-2s. 6d. Letters were also read , from ;Mr Stevens, and’Mr W.Williarns, of Christchurch, stating that steps were being taken for the formation of a Reform League in Canterbury, but that it would, be ■ differently based from that' of Nelson; inasmuch as it would pay particular attention to the Provincial Finance of Canterbury, with the view of remedying evils that existed therein. On the motiou of Mr Clements, the thanks of the Oommitree as representing the. League, were cordially voted to Dr Featherstoh, of Wellington, for the steadfast opposition he had- given to the Public Debts Bill; and for his support of. the true.interests of the Colony in opposing that measure.. After some conversation respecting the proceedings of members of the House of Representatives, and particularly their votes on the Public Debts Act, a resolution was propesed that it should be suggested to the electors of the city, and of the districts of Suburban North and South, the Waimeas and Motueka, to call on their several representatives, and request an explanation of their votes. , The proposal was unanimously agreed to. , On Saturday, October 19th a public meeting, was held at the School-house, Lower Wakefield, for the purpose of hearing a deputation from the Nelson Commiitee of the League, which had been asked for by the inhabitants. There was a good attendance. Mr Oliattock was appointed chairman, and the speakers were Dr. Irvine, and Messrs. Barlow, Elliott, B. Jackson, D. M. Luckie, W. White, and T. Andrews. A resolution condemning the * excessive; taxation of the Colony, and the extravagance of Ministers, was unanimously agreed to; and the meeting pledged; itself to further and assist by all legitimate means the Financial Reform League.

The subjoined letter from Sir David Monro to the Secretary of the Financial Reform League has been published:— “To the Secretary oe the Nelson Financial Reform: Leaghje. “ Sir, —I am desirous of joining the body of which you are Secretary, and will be obliged by your proposing my name as a member at the iiext meeting. “I hope that one effort, at, all events, of the operation of the League may be to promote a searching and logical enquiry into the causes of the enormous expenditure of this country, necessitating a corresponding amount of taxation. Unless we can reduce our taxation, the progress of New Zealand, in my opinion, is arrested. I believe we can do it, but only by a reconstruction of the machinery of our Government. The system of government under which we have lived since 1853 is one from which a maximum of extravagant expenditure might have been foretold as an almost necessary sequence. “To obtain the blessings of a low scale of taxation, with; the national development and-abundance which may be expected to result from ifci we must simplify and consolidate : our. institutions.. . And, we must aim at creating something like a policy of unity and. nationality, instead of the wretched sectionalism which exists, at present, and is absolutely, incompatible with anything like good government; ; ’ “I believe the more.the subject is enquired into the more, will; these: truths reveal themselves. The issue rests with the people of the colony themselves. " The alternative is a most serious one. May truth prove itself great and prevail. ' • ' . “T am, .&c

. “D.Muneo. “Nelson, 0ct0ber.31,.3.867.”