The Waimate Advertiser THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1898.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 10, 30 July 1898, Page 1

The Waimate Advertiser THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1898.

In spite of ihe fact that there are already in "Waimate a large number of " Societies " and *' Associations " for various purposes, we think there is need for another, namely, a Political Union. We do not- mean an association in the interests of a partj; that has been tried here in the past and has failed. The place-is too small for such an institution.

What Waimate needs is a union, which, like Parliament itself, would be open to all partiesi and at whose meetings any subject might be discussed which it is competent to bring before Parliament or the County or Borough Councils. Numbers of young people are every day becoming entitled to take their places as enfranchised citizens, and almost nothing is being done for their political education. True, the newspapers are supposed to do this work, but how is it done ? Usually with a strong party bias. Public questions

are seldom discussed on their own merits, and many persons *re apt to be guided, even in these days, mainly by what they Bee "in print." It must be distinctly understood that we do not wish thii union to clash with either of the Mutual Improvement societies. It would be a distinct institution, and would in__fact afford opportunities for members o* these societies to have the benefit of the politicaljsnowledge of older men. 'Everyone conversing much^with our younger men and women is aware of th^great amount of ignor-

jince and misconception which exist in regard to prominent public questions such as the Elective Executive, Old Age Pensions, Equal Electoral Eights, Eating on Unimproved Values, etc. The other day wa came acros9 ~*n intelligent young fellow of five and twenty who thought Major Steward's Elective Executive Bill was a measure for the reform of * the Upper House. Another did not know "what the Consolidated Revenue was. This kind of thing is by no means confined to the younger members of the community. We believe thai such an organisation as we have In view would bo cordially welcomed and largely supported by the people -of Wainmte. What we suggest is that an association should -be formed with, say the following fundamental rules : — (1) a small subscription per session (2) the association not to used to support any particular candidate for public office (3) a time limii to members' speeches. 'The Library Hall can be obtained at a very reasonable rent, and with a membership of sixty or eighty a shilling subscription would he sufficient for weekly meetings for three or four months. By keeping out the personal element the chief cause of the non-success of iormer political associations will be avoided. _A time limit to members' speeches would be .absolutely necessary. There is no denying ihe fact that we have among us a number of individuals who evidently like to hear ihernt^elves speak. They have often very good things to «ay ami sound ideas on most

subjects, but use a prodigiou* number of words in expressing these. It would be a good plan to have a subject for each -week according to a prepared programme, the lead being taken by one or two speakers or essayists appointed for the purpose, and whose chief business it would be to Bet out briefly and clearly a, general view of the subject to be discussed. The educational aspect of what we are moving for should be kept constantly in mind. It is impossible to overestimate the influence for good a Political Union may be made in the hands of earnest, unselfish leaders. The indications are strong that a general election is not far off, and many of our young electors are unprepared. Are there two or three men among us enthusiastic enough to take this matter up. , , It would be sure to be a success. We will gladly do the advertising gratis, and in every possible way further the efforts of those who will move in this matter.