POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 17 September 1907, Page 2

POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH.

Despite counter attractions last night about fiity persons attended the ■annual meeting of tlie New Plymouth branch of the Political Reform League. Mr D. Ilutehoii, president, was in the chair. Messrs Okey and Malcofyn, M.'s 11.11., were present.

The balance-sheet and statement ot assets aind liabilities showed a deficit, principally due to the expenses incurred in connection with Mr Massey's meetings.

The chairman congratulated the branch on the success which had attended its formation and organisation. They had just got over the bulk of the preliminary work when the Taranaki vacancy occurred, and they were tlius able to go right straight ahead in furthering the interests of Mr Ofcey, whoso return was the result of organisation. They had jbeen fortunate in having had Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr Martin, organising secretary, to direct and assist in the campaign. Que of the most valuable results of that fight was that Oppositionists in Tavivnaki—so long without the palo—had been brought into closer touch with the Opposition leaders and political organisations, and they now felt that they had the sympathy and, co-operation of tho party to which they owed, allegiance. Tf they intended to retain the se:i.t they must continue working right on. They must remember that at the general election they would not be able to monbpolise the services of Mr Massey and Mr Martin. In the coming year branches must be formed in every corner of the electorate, and the rolls must bo purged, and so on. Dealing with the TarilT Bill, Mr Hutchen said there was n, great necessity for a revolution in the fiscal policy of the country instead of that Imeasnre which was after all only a "shuffling of the cards." This change of policy should be modelled on freetrade. He moved the adoption of Hie annual statements.

Mr McLean seconded, and said -flic prospects of the branch were more hopeful than at the last meeting, when only six attended, after numerous adadjournments. There was an awakenbig of interest in Opposition circles right through this electorate; They shouVd emulate "the other side" in loyalty to party, and work. They must put the shoulder to the wheel now if they were to retain the Taranaki spat. The motion was carried.

OJHcers were elected, but their names arc withheld from publication by request. It "was decided to have ai ladies committee to work in conjunction with the executive.

Air Okey, thanked those present for giving him an opportunity to meet theiu,aud spoke of the vast amount of work being done in the House, despite the Government papers' assertion to the contrary. The public, he thought, tailed to grasp (.lie importance ol the discussion 011 the Estimates. The Opposition got no assistance from the Government members in uifeart'lmig weak points, Sllc h as extravagant al lowances to Government servants, and SO on. The Opposition, though not numerically strong, was a united party, and as such was doing goo d work. He had not yet found it impossible to be honest and a politician. ?Ul ' R ' f ° r . poke 0! the greater support now bein« accorded the Opposition, which party was led by one of the finest men in i\ew Zealand, and a man thoroughly impeded by every man in the House ihc party was remarkable for its combination its pluck, and its patience. s leader was always at Mspost-a main of iron constitution, and pertinacity. He remarked ° » i th,! OPP^tionlrom t fact that the Government was legislating on the lines advocated by the STSEV" ypilrs "I the kpvcrnmcnt'x attitude on the tanll question, and complained that " °- y IV ™' "leasing the cost of living He concluded with a few remarks tto freehold question and praise of ST r Wo, ' k in the Ho,,sc » sa ™S he M! the faculty of hitting the nail on tlio head."

Mr Jas. Burgess, of Warea, also spoke 011 the necessity for "eternal vigilance, the price of' safety." TTiev could confidently look forward to a hi'* struggle here at the general election: Speaking of the tariff, he said the Government should give its assign"w\rds building up the primary '-,. 1 • tries—farming, minim, and timber. After supper, Miss Hine and liliss Biker en eh contributed n sonfr, JTr Kirkwood playing a flute nMigntn, and the ladies accompanying each other.