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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1321, 26 June 1883, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND LAND NaTIONALISzV TION SOCIETY. The adjourned meeting of the above society took place last night at the Good Templar’s HuD. There were a tolerable number present, and several new members joined. Mr Ross took the chair. Mr File, the Secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting. Ho stated that at the last meeting he had been asked to communicate with the head office at Dunedin. He had done so by letter, desiring Mr Braithwaite to forward papers, &c., on this subject. Wit.ii regard to accounts against, the society, he would ask the chairman wh *ther he would clear off the debts as they go along, or leave them standing. It was decided to pay off the debts as they came. The chairman hoped the next meeting would be more interesting, as then the papers would be here. The object of the society was now to prevent the further alienating of the lands of the colony, and after that to buy in other lands. il<- t iought, their best course would be to get the head department, at Dunedin to forward them the best lectures, or, perhaps, a lecturer, and to have smaller societies formed elsewhere. This would make their cause stronger. Mr bile objected to this. He thought there was,sufficient 10.-al talent, to enable them to get up lectures without importing them, they might use their influence sufficiently, and, perhaps, bring it to bear upon Mr Gannon for a short time. He was sure he (Mr Gannon) would use his utmost endeavors to forward the objects of the society. Mr Gannon understood these matters, and had been reading up the subject. He did not think it necessary to send to Dunedin for a lecturer, and would urge, instead of subscribing for so doing, to select talent from their midstMr Gannon replied, and thought he would not just for the present be able to do as requested. There were so many works <»n the subject; go anywhere and books containing information on this matter could be obtained, and which dealt on the subject most clearly. There are Herbert Spencer, Wallace, and others ; though Wallace goes more into the question of landlordism, and is not so deep a book as that of George’s. This idea of the society would spread through the district, and will do much good.

Mr Please f- ;ght that it would be much bettor to set down a certain line of ordinary business, and to have certain nights set apart for lectures and debates, before coming before the public, and to read up privately to themselves. That some rules should be formed to keep the society in working w order. Mr File proposed that they should ask Mr Gannon or some other member to take up the question, and point out the evils of the present system, and the benefit to be derived in leasing the land rather than selling it. He thought a formal debate better than a reading. Mr. Piesse also considered it better to make themselves conversant with the subject before appearing publicly. Mr. Tharatt said if they required the Society to become a success, they must thrust the matter on the public. If a public meeting were called, their members would be increased largely, and members they must have. The Chairman made a few remarks agreeing with this. Mr Gannon said that it would make a great difference if the Government Were to see this agitation going on. Mr McKay said the matter should be brought before public notice. That a column or so at a time should be extracted from the work by “ George,” and inserted in one or both of the local papers, for the purpose of disseminating literature on the subject. A great deal could be done be disseminating. Further discussion here ensued, though not of an important nature. It was decided to hold the next meeting on Tuesday three weeks. This terminated the business.