YOUNG NEW ZEALAND DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 215, 13 August 1887, Page 2

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION.

Addresses bj[ Sir" iimorae <jjrey s and Mr 'J. "A*. Cftkftieir"" *"

Auckland, August 4. A meeting of gentlemen desirous of forming the Young New Zealand Democratic Association, projected by Mr J. Aitken Council and continnccl by public : v meeting in the Choral Hall on Monday week, was held lnst night in the Ipeturo hall of the Y.M.C.A.'s Rooms. The il.ltnd.tnce was only modeiate, tho lower jvn tiim of the hall being only half full, and tin i c 1 (dies having the gallery all to themseh. Sir George Grey and Mi Council upon their entrance were reached .\ >Lh loud applause. Upon Mr Council's motion, Mr J. M McLachlan was called to the uinir. Mr Bridgew ater took the opportunity to announce that the debate " Fiee Trade \ersus Protection" — about which there had .been some confusion — was h\ed tor Friday next. The Chairman lwung opened the proceeding, called upon Sir (Icm'.-c Grey to address the meeting. Sir George was receive \.. f| i applause. He began by saying Iri ■ * 'si I y believed that ]>olities in then- > tie Mid right sense were a pait oi i '<<.\> >>, It did not sufficiently sliilu, h- t'nt everyone wo met was an indiw'u.i' - ml whose welfare was as great a matt' i i< • he C'reatoi as .my one else'? welfare. ivp'ri-r did we lofkct enough upon thedigitir. of labour. Thewoild had been placer! pi der our government, and the laws 01' piee.pbs given us by a Supremo Being were only of a geneial character, to be infei preted oursehes tor their application to the needs oi cur daily lives. Every nation almost had interpreted them difTcenrly, We could hardly conceive how bloodthirsty soraj of our old laws weic, oi credit the number of young people- who v. ore put to death for so venial an offence as picking pockets. It was of the utnui-t importance I that wo should have g-o^d liv^ t and for that purpose it whs essential lh.it our youth* — who would pio\ ide the fu( me legislators :of the country — should X- i •» operly in- ! structcd. They -hould be (i.uued in the j studyofourlaws.andeonsid*' ,-\ cry question that concerns the happiness .md well-being ot their fellow-cieaturcs. in thL- new country new circumstances wci i-on«tantly aiising, anditwasnecessaty Lo h: prepared to meet them to the bent ad\a lfrago. Then, again, we had an immense l.mdod estate, the possession of which might" tempt our legislatois to cupidity. Jn hoMi these lespectfr. we occupied a quite different position fiom people in T"gl,ind. It was essential that rm- youths should be able to act for themselves to frame good and ju*<l law--, and to administer them impartially. IK: earnestly exhoited our young men to thi-> pivpai utory work. It was one of his ou n greatest consolations that when he should close his eyes on eaith, he had u-cd every etlort he posses.-cd to rendu the benefits vshich God had so libeially bestowed on the earth available for everyone of tho--e beings, his fellow men, whom he camo in contact with. The young people needed a full equipment to withstand the temptations that would beset them. He \\ ould leave to other teachers tho instructions as to the spiiitual armour needed. Hub lie would .say that it was a mo^t important thing that they bhould determine upon all gioat political questions that no temptation or persuasion should cnut>e them to s\s cr\ c from the straight path of political hon ur, or to give their supiKnt to hum -"m - <vl.ieh they belie\ed to be wrong, oi >ujon joher parties in some vast speculation for tho purpose of acquiring land for tlieir c ,vn benefit. He adjured the young people to cultivate that greatest of all vn tues - a positive reb'ance ; the power of rightdoing ; to make a positive resolve to adhere to it ; and to come to a positive determination to sacrifice even life itself rather than depart from just and righteous principles which had been implanted in us by our Maker for His glory on earth. They should footer that greatest of all endowments — a sympathy for our fellow-creatures, and a chaiityimf>elling us to assist those who are beneath us by reason of their own weakness or misconduct to raise themselves again to the position from which they had fallen. They should not be too ready to asciibe faults to others, but rather ready to pardon and to give all a chance of re-establishing themselves again in life, recollecting that this was the law by which Providence dealt with us. The statesman who secures some great benefit for his fellow men kwes behind him something which never dies. They not only had "the power to do this, but there was no telling what benefits might accrue to after generations from their labours. He therefore hoped thafc they would form a political association as proposed -not for the purposes of squabbling uuon political matters, not for the purpose of assisting certain parties, but to enable them to devise measures for the good of all. (Applause As they had much business to do that night, he would not detain them longer. Perhaps he should in the future 'neet them often. He had tried in plain words to set before them his own views upon the subject, which were, perhaps, deeper and graver than any of them might believe. As Sir George Grey had at this stage to leave the meeting, the Chairman called for a vote of thanks for him, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Connell then came forward amidst applause. He said that he too would not require to detain them long, as they already knew hia views upon the matter. He might state that his only object in trying to torm this association was because he looked to the young colonial blood of the colony to Work for the good of tho country. All it wanted was a few older men, like Sir George Grey to take the lead. It was gratifying to him to find (hat although Sir George Grey and him&ell diftered upon some matterB,still he threw himself heartily into the project, (Applnu.se. ) Ho looked upon it as a most important matter, the formation of this Association. The time would come when instead of 150 men they would number them by thousands, and then their power would be felt. It was. becauso he foresaw that the movement would be taken up throughout tho colony that he was was glad to see that Association formed. It would yet become a great political force, as it would prevent small knots of men from doing what they pleased with the country. What they wanted was to get the young colonials to feel tlieir responsibility in this matter, and not hang back for fear of a Uttle trouble or mud-throwing. He had conferred with Sir George Grey upon the matter, and they had decided that it would be advisable to change the name of the Association from the Young New Zealand Democratic Association to tire Young New Zealand Political Association. He would, to test the feeling of the meeting, propose the following resolutions: — '"Chat this meeting resolves to form the Young New Zealand Political Association, the objects of; which shall be (1) To encourage the study of political subjects by its members with tho view of enabling them to take -an active and intelligent part in connection * with • the consideration

of public questions and the direction of public affairs (2) Without committing itself to any particular set of political .opinions generally, to seek to discover and support) raft elections for members of the HousWoF-Representatives gentlemen of intelligence and education having fixed moral and political principle?, and to oppose and discourage by all means in its power the returns of candidates destitute of such principles. (3) To form, conserve, and find means for the expression of a 'pi: lt. of attachment and loyalty to the colony of New Zealand, and to sock fco raise the tone of the public life of the cold ny. (4) To estal >lis>H branches in each provincial District with local piesidcnts "and vice-presidents and other officers." ■ In speaking to the motion, ho pointed out the necessity of educating the young colonial mind in political matters. They should study mental science and philosoph^y. They would .soon be able to show candidulos that they could no longer be hoodwinked. But the Association should never degenerate into a mere party thing. It should embrace all classes of thought. Mr Ton nell concluded by reading some suggestions of his own for the guidance of the CoLcnuL tee. Mr Grace seconded the resolutions, and spoke at 'some length, after which the motion was unanimously adopted. It was* f slither resohed that incmbeia of the Association must be between the ages of 20 and 40, and mv.st have lived in the colunio.s 10 years or be anati\c of New Zealand; provided always that membeis under I!) years of ago minlit be elected on the recommendation of the Committee of Manage ment. The following Committee was appointed to diaft a constitution, rules, enroll members, and call a meeting within -even da\s to consider the same: Messis McMnmi.-, F. W. Luhning, John Lind.-ay, Eiic Hudson, and Mr Council, with power to acM to their number. The usual voto of thank* conchulcd the meeting 1 .