GERALDINE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2670, 9 June 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

A general meeting of the Geraldine Liberal Association was held in the Good Templar Hall on Wednesday evening last, Mr Amos Sherratt, Vice-President, occupying the chair. CORRESPONDENCE, Correspondence was received from the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association as under:— Dear Sir,—l have the honor to forward for the consideration of your Association a series of resolutions passed at our last meeting. The resolutions you will see are oi great importance, and my Association trusts that they will receive careful attention. There is every reason to believe that there is a determination on the part of the large land holders and capitalists to reduce their labor expenditure with a view to hampering the present Government and bring it into discredit with the workingclasses. The resolutions proposed would, if acted upon by the Government, successfully counteract this movement, as it would place such a fund at the disposal of the Government that there would be ample employment for all needing it. It is not suggested to employ thesa funds merely for the purpose of relief works. The work contemplated is ona designed chiefly with a view to promoting settlement. Throughout the colony there are lands in the hands of the Government which at present are not available for settlement in consequence of the want of means of communication. Many of the settlements in the North Island are greatly hindered by the want of passable roads. Vast tracts of land acquired from the Natives are virtually closed from the ( same cause, while at the same time the chief towns of the colony are crowded with a mass of men willing to work but unable to obtain employment. These resolutions, if acted upon, would speedily obviate this position of affairs, and would give a vast impetus to settlement. In many districts of the colony there are no Governmeut landß available for occupation, while at the same time immense blocks of land are held by individuals. In these districts the resolutions contemplate the use of some of these notes to purchase land for settlement. My Association believes that the funds could be so apportioned to the various districts of the colony as to greatly benefit the whole country. Doubtless we shall be told that the ißsue of notes in this way is an unsound policy, as the notes have not a gold basis, but this objection will be raised by those who in the past have financed the colony on a fictitious gold basis. Money is merely a medium of exchange, and there is no reason why any country should not declare its own internal currency, so long as such is based on a solid basis of wealth, added to the country in the form of increased value of the public estate, which we believe is equally as sound a basis as gold which lies unproductively in a bank safe. It is not intended to raise this question as one interfering with the present note circulation of the banks, but we wish the proposals treated as essentially on the interests of labor and settlement, which we are convinced will be greatly promoted j by their adoption. If the resolutions are approved of, kindly forward them to the Government. 1 rusting that our united efforts may result in much good to the community,—l am, etc., H. G. Ell, Secretary.

The resolutions are as follows :—" That the Government be asked to promote an Act of Parliament, authorising the issue of £1,000,000 in national guaranteed notes, such notes to have a currency of ten years, and to be legal tender within the Colony during that time; the notes so issued to be used for the purchase of land for settlement, and for roading and preparing public lands for settlement; Government to be empowered to pay salaries with a portion of the proposed issue of State notes, provided that the amount so released from the Treasury shall be expended in the purchase of land for settlement."

Oa the motion of Mr G. Ward it was agreed—" That this association agrees to support the views of the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association re the issue of national guaranteed notes." It was further resolved —"That the secretary write to the Canterbury Association asking them what support they are receiving from the other Associations." ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows : President, Mr W. S. Maslin,M.H.R.; Vice-Presidents, Messrs F. R. Flatman, M.H.R., Amos Sherratt and George Ward; Secretary, Mr E. Robsou ; Treasurer, Mr J. Sutherland; Committee —Messrs W. S. Helem, Richards, Kennington, Towzer, O'Neill, Bennett, Aymes, and Russell. Resolved—" That five form a quorum; that the committee meet every Saturday night during the session of Parliament; and that a general meeting of members be held once a month } that ordinary members can attend Saturday njght pomnijttee meetings if they wish." jy[ r "jv, g, Maslin, M.H.R., thanked the association foT ctin g h , im * 8 th * ir . P™" sident, and said he would do all m his power to help them or aC* kindred associations. He would like to see branch associations formed at Woodbury, Springburn, Tinwald, and other places, so that when the elections came round again they would be in touch with the whole district. A donation of £1 Is was received with thanks from Mr Maslin and a vote of thanks to Mr Amos Sherratt (chairman) and Mr Robson (secretaiy) concluded the meeting.