REFORM ASSOCIATION.
A meeting of those favorable to the formation of a Reform Association was held in the Manners-street Fire Brigade station last evening, Mr. Beatty presiding. There were twentyfive persons present. The Chairman having explained the object of the meeting, called upon Mr. Marks, who touched upon Sir George Grey’s speech in Wellington, and supported manhood suffrage. He spoke strongly in favor of a change in the incidence of taxation, showinn 1 how it now pressed upon the poor man. and he farther held that the present system of taxation tended to lock up the land. He was not in favor of democracy as it existed in America, but believed the policy of England was the best. Professor AUGUSTUS said they did not understand democracy in Ameraoa. They were conservative, Mr. Fisher moved—“ That a Reform Association be established, and that those present who are favorable to it enrol themselves as members.” Mr. Marks seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Barnett considered the paucity of attendance at their meetings was attributable to the fact that they had called the people, together without stating what platform they intended to adopt. The most essential feature of a liberal programme was universal suffrage, and he held that every male adult, free from crime and who had been resident in the locality for six months, should be entitled to a vote on the payment of £1 a year. A revision of Customs duties was required, and the tax should be taken off the necessaries of life, such as tea, sugar, &c. State education should be strictly secular, and an entire remodification of the jury system was desirable. Mr. Fisher said the reason they had not declared a policy when calling the meeting was that they might be charged with presumption. They wished to lay down certain cardinal points at the meeting, and then they could lay down a programme in an official way. Mr. Marks moved that a committee, consisting of Messrs. Barnett, Fisher, Marks, Ballonger, and Beatty, with power to add to their number, be appointed to draw up a series of resolutions embodying the principles of the association. Atr. Hutchings seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman, and to Mr. Whiteford for the use of room.
It was arranged to have a stall at the Arcade on Saturday evening, where the registav tion papers could be signed.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5295, 15 March 1878, Page 3
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409REFORM ASSOCIATION. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5295, 15 March 1878, Page 3
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