REFORM LEAGUE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 105, 27 June 1913, Page 4

REFORM LEAGUE.

The Pukekohe Branch.

Tha annual general mee;ing of the "parent" branch was held in the Fulukch-3 Mascnie Hall on Saturday night, the president (Mr J. Schlaepfir) occupying f .he chair. The report, as follow?, was read:— "ihe year just endei has been rather an eventful year in that it has witnessed the culmination of the aims End objects of the ieform movement, viz., the placing of the Reform Party on tha Treasury Benches. Our last annual meeting, held cwing to various causes rather later than usual, was by a coincidence held on the same day that Mr Massey carried his vote of rocontiu'ei'.ce in the Mackenzie Government, and a resolution to that effect was recorded in the minu'.es. At ihe sime meeting it wes decided to held a banquet to welcome Mr Massey as Prime Minister as scon a3 he was at liberty to attend. Owirg to Parliament resuming almost immediately Mr Massey wes unabla to be present till the session ended, and consequently the banquet did not take place till November 16th, 1912, when we had the pleasuie of welcoming Mr Massey as Prime Minister, and also meeting the Hon. R. H. Rhodes, PostmasterGeneral, und the Hon. Dt Pomare. representing the rative race, es will as several members of Parliament, supporters of the Reform Government. In epita of inclement weather the banquet was a signal success in every tense of the word and served to show the esteem in which Mr Massey ia held, and that satisfacti:n which his evolution to the Prime Ministership has given to his friends a.d supporters. It is alio worthy of note that as Pukekoh3 bianch was the (irst'of the refoim movement, it was reserved fcr this branch to tender Mr Massey the first public welcome after assuming office, In conjunction with the banquet »t was aho decided to hold later en some fuiidion in which ladies u>uld take part. Ihis it was proposed to hold in March last, but owing to the great demands on bis time Mr Massey found it impassible to ie present, so that the proposal has had to be abandoned for the present. Later on, whea the weather becomes more settled, and Mr Massey is at liberty, tha matter will be revived and probably the opportunity will be taken advantage of to form a branch cf the Women's Reform League in this diittict, In this connection it may be mentioned that (ha president and secretary interviewed the Hon. Mr Fisher on his vnit to Auckland in March last to see if it was possible for him to come to Pukekohe to give an address and assist in forming a Women's Branch. Unfortunately, his engagements would not permit of him doing so at that time, but he promised to endeavour to do bo on his return fiom Australia in May last. However, his stay was so short that it was ccnfidered impracticable, and the matter was allowed to lie in abeyance till a more favourable season. '•The first Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League was held in Wellington on August 3rd and sth of last year, shortly after the accession to power of the Reform Government. The president, Mr Schlaepfer, was gocd enough to proceei to Wellington to represent ihis branch. A large amount of business wan transacted, as evidenced by Ihe report of the proceedings. Among other business was the framing of a set of rules for the guidance of all branches, a copy of which is available for any member desiring one. A conference of the Reform Leagues in the Auckland province was held ia Auckland on June 4th last, but as there was hardly time to call a meeting of the Executive to appoint delegates the president and secretary attended on behalf of Ihis branch. Various

matters were brought forward ar.d a lnng dmusslJn took phce on the ilection of the Central Executive. Hitherto this executive has ccnsistai of 27 members represetitirg city and suburban electorates, but the conferer.ee decided to increase tha numb.r to 30, and also to add ons member from each cour.Jtry electorate to set in conjunction with the 30 cily and suburban rrembess the whole to form tha Central Executive. It will therefore be t e duty ot this brarch t«j join with the other branches in the electorate in selecting a delegate to represent them on the Central Executive. Another matter that engaged the attention of the conference was the establishment of fn efficial organ cf the Reform Party, and the conference decided to appoint "Light and Libeity" ai its official journsl. Several copies of the first i3sue ate to hand, and are available to any member apply in*. "Yeur Executive haa held fairly regular meetings throughout the year, besides the many meetings which the balding ot the banquet necessitated, and a watchful eye has teen kept on all matters cf interest to the League.

"Your Executive, in conclusion would roint out that the Reform Leagues throughout the Dominion have, in placing Mr Massey and his colleagues on the Treasury Benches, only attained one part of the :ommon ideal and confidently anticipate that this branch will etiU keep in the forefront in carrying un the important work of 'keeping them there.' Your Executive therefore asks the co-operation of every member of the League in enrolling new members, thus keeping this branch strong and vigorous and ready for the battle whenever it may come." The balance sheet showed a credit of £9 4s 6d.

The following officers were elected:-President, Mr J. Schlaepfer (re-elected); senior vice-presi-dent, Mr C. Shipherd (re-elected); junior vice-preeident, Mr J. Bilkey; executive Messrs J G. Rutherford, J, Potter, A P. Daysh, J. W. Johns, H. Keith, J. K. Hamilton, C. K. Lawrie, E. G. Phillipps, A. B. Barter, J, Baxter, 1. Motion, R Schlaepfer, R. Glasgow; secretary and treasurer, Mr F. E. Simpson (re-elected); auditor, Mr C. K. Lawrie (re-elected). Under tha scheme for reorganisation of the Auckland Executive the Pukekrhe, Waiuku and Mangere branches were called upon to elect a representative to the Executive. It was decided to s-jggest to the other branches that Mr J. Schlaepfer be elected delegate Votes of thanks were accorded the president, secretary and auditor.

It was left to the president, secretary and Mr Shipherd to endeavour to arrange for the Prime Minister and the Hon. Mr Fisher to visit Pukekohe during the recess to Rive addresses and establish a branch of the Women's League.