REFORM LEAGUE CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10686, 5 August 1912, Page 5

REFORM LEAGUE CONFERENCE

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.

(By Telegraph — Fress Association.) WELLINGTON,' Last .Night. At tho Political Reform conference yesterday the Hon. W. B\ Massoy ©aid it gave Mm great pleasure to meet representatives of < men; and women who had stood to the par-* !ty and maintained its principles during the 21 years it has been in oppose tion (applause). The representatives of every "lectonte from the Bay of Islands to the Bluff at tlfe gathering was tiro strongest indication! that tlie people of „New .Zealand had defim'tlely decid-oet' that the public business should bi> • conducted on clean, straight and d'emocratfic lines, and in those termg the* policy of the Reform League was summarised. (Applause). It showed that the people of JSTow .Zealand had shaken off their lethargy, and had determined to take ami active interest'. in the conduct of their affairs, audi thcr© was no better guarantee of theproper conduct of political business, than a< strong and healthy public opinfiaai. Regarding the -work of tho conference, Mr Massey said .the most important .business would, be to arrange a scheme of organisation to prepare for the general -elections, whenever they might come, though during the la.st few weeks tine prospect of a general election had faded into dim and distant future. The first duty of • the delegates was to arrange a full and complete organisation, by which, when; the necessity arose, there avouM be a strong and popular candidate for everyelectorate, with a strong and: complete organisation, to support him. He was. sure the conference would be produc* tivo of good for the country. (Applause).

Mr P. F. Hockly was uiuMiimousiy ejected chairman of the conference. Mr G. J. Garland (Auckland provincial district) proposed a motion- recording the higjli appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the country'.by th e Reform members of Pariiamch'fc under the able leadership of the Hon. W. F. Massey, and congratulating him and them on the successes that had crowned their long and arduous struggle for right. The motion ,was seconded hy Mr C... A. C. Hady (Selwyn) aad; supportc-l by nufny delegates who concurred in- ' expression.^of gratification at the.success 'of'the partjj aaid i& congratulatingMr Massey and his party upon the ■ manner in which they had conducted? the fight for the -parity''; there weremany sincere expressions of esteemand admiration for Mr Massey per- ; sonally. . The motion was carried'with", vigorous applause, followed by cheers, for Mr Maeoey "and-siiniging of "For he's a jolly good fellow," and ehfeera for Mrs Mast-by. Acknowledging 'tlhe compliment, the PrXme Minister said he and his co!- ■ leagues decjply appreciated the congratulations of the confeiience. One.thing to he proud of'was the that •party 'had stood the test of adversity, and he .believed it would stand with .'.equal credit ithe, best of 'prosperity. (A.ppbusfe). ':' He was cbnMent witft,' suuh help and assistance* as had been giveii in past years, the representatives of the party in Parliament would control the destinies of the couiytry for many year©-to. come. (Applause)'. A committee cf twenty delegates-, . . ; tr]« from each Jskuid, was yat up to go :mM 'details of organisation schemes. A s-erv'.d committee of ten members v,-pa ■i",-i.-:v.!+nd to report upon the a ; "Jv:F.n'«'i : <--''.- f jyioointing an.official organ cf fha League. The greater port' of the afternom sitting was occupied"', with the consideration--of various proposals intended to assist in consolid'a- . ting supporters of the faarty. With this object the conference resolved that provision should be made in the constifcutiorr cf the League for t!be enroll-' ment as honorary members of branches' of young people under 21-years of age. The idea was that young people should be encouraged to take an active interest in the government of the Dominion''. TBie desirability of establishing branches of fife Women's Politoal "ltcform League in every electorate was unanimously affirmed. The conference will resume on Monday morning, when the principal business; will be the consideration of reeommxMidations from the committee appointee! on Saturday.