The A.M.P. Referendum.

Manawatu Herald, 8 September 1900, Page 2

The A.M. P. Referendum.

Sydney, 6th Sept., 1900. To the Members of the A.M.P. Society,

per favour Manawatu Herald.

Ladies and Gentlemen, — When the Board recently convened a meeting of the members to make certain amendments in the by-law 3to enable it to extend the operations of the Society beyond the Australasian Colonies, a form of proxy was posted to each of you in order that you might be represented at the meeting. I also addressed a letter to the press setting forth as briefly as circumstances would permit the reasons which influenced the Board in seeking these extended powers. The result of the voting was as follows : — In favour of the Board's " amendments ... 119.505 votes Against 28,820 „ Majority 90,685 votes Such an enormous majority, unprecedented in the history of the Society, was accepted by the Board as a clear indication that the members endorsed its action and agreed with its proposals. A number of the members having claimed, however, that the vote already referred to was given by them under a misapprehension, the Board agreed with the dissentients that should counsel advise such a course to be legal, it would take a referendum of the members on the question. Counsel having advised that such a proceeding is legal, and in order to remove every possible cause for complaint, the Board has agreed to take the referendum, and the necessary voting papers have been posted to the members. It will perhaps not be out of place to point out to you that the Society's affairs in Australasia are managed by 7 Boards, consisting of 35 Directors ; one of these directors is at present absent in England, the othera are unanimously in favour of the proposed extension. Presumably these commercial and professional gentlemen, who have been intimately associated with the control of the Society for many years, are best qualified to judge of the wisdom and propriety of the proposal. As I have already given the reasons which in- • duced "the Board to ask for increased powers, and as its request has been so unmistakably granted by the members, I do not now propose to repeat these reasons or to add to them. I have only to say that the Board: sees no - reason to alter its views; it is stiH ot" opinion that the proposed extension will be greatly to the advantage of the Society, and I ask you to repeat your expression of confidence in the Boafd by striking out the word " No " in the voting paper and returning it to tbis office without delay. Faithfully yours, J. P. Abbott, Chairman of the Board. Wellington, 6th Sept., 1900. To the New Zealand Members of the A.M. P. Society, per favour Manawatu Herald. Ladies and Gentlemen,— -The Chair^ man of the Society, Sir Joseph Abbott, has already through the press addressed a letter to you on the subject of the referendum now being taken in connection with the proposed extension of the Society's operations beyond the Australasian Colonies. In the name of the Local Directors who are charged with the administration of the Society's affairs in New Zealand, I have now to state their entire concurrence with the views and recommendations contained in Sir Joseph's letter, and to ask you to be good enough to repeat your approval of the recommendations of the Board by striking out the word ** No " in the voting paper sent you and returning it without delay to the Head Office in Sydney. Yours faithfully, Morgan S. Grace, Chairman ot New Zealand Board.