GERALDINE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2707, 4 September 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of members of the Geraldine Liberal Association, to which the public were invited, was held on Saturday evening last, in the Good Templar Hall; Mr Amos Sherratt, vice president, in the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Premier acknowledging receipt of the Association’s congratulations re the Governments action anent the Bank of New Zealand, and stating that the Government only did their duty to the country in acting promptly as they did. The Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association, wrote forwarding a circular re ** ‘ The Constitution of the Governing Body of Canterbury College’—an institution with an income derived from public property of no less a sum than £2i2,339 per annum, which is now under the sole control of a board elected by a few students. Is*it right that such a very limited franchise should elect the governing body .of an institution so richly endowed by the public ?” Also suggesting that the committee communicate with the member of their district,- requesting his support of the movement in the House, and that a letter be directed to the Hon. Minister for Education, asking him to introduce a measure for the consideration of members granting the residents of North and Booth Canterbury Educational districts more direct control of this important institution.—Resolved —“ That the secre tary communicate with Mr Maslin,M H.R., and the Hon. Minister for Education, as requested.” THN AMENDED LICENSING BILL. The secretary, Mr E. Robson, read an interesting paper on the proposed amendments 'to the Licensing Bill, drawing attention to what he considered were good points in the the Bill, and improvements on the old one, and also pointing out several defects, such as, for instance, as the constitution of the committee. A brief discussion took place on the paper, one and all being opposed to the constitution of the committee. It was resolved —“ That in the opinion of this meeting the formation of the Licensing Committee as laid down in the amended Act is impracticable, and we would strongly recommend that the com mittee remain as it is, an elective one.” It was mentioned that the travelling expenses of the proposed committee would be much greater than at present, and this would have to be borne by ratepayers; also that the electors would be practically disfranchised. It was farther resolved—“ That a bare majority be substituted for a three-fifths majority, and that the provision fqr a quarter of the electors voting to make a poll be struck out of the Bill, as being an illiberal clause.”

It was decided that these resolutions be sent on to Mr Maslin. A vote of thanks to the secretary closed (he meeting.