Charitable Aid Conference.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3523, 30 May 1890, Page 2

Charitable Aid Conference.

A conference of local bodies within the district to consider the vexed question of Charitable Aid wds held in the Temperance Hall at noon yesterday. There were present— i Messrs W. H. Beetham (inthe chair,) Miiunsell, Dagg, Stuckey, and the Clerk (Wairarapa Worth County Council); His Worship the Mayor, and Councillors McEwen, Mason, and the Town Clerk (Masterton liorougu Council); Messrs H. R. Bunny, Booth, Buchanan, Braith waite, Matthews, Cundy, and the Clerk (Wairarapa. South County Council);'and Mr R, Fairbrother, Mayor of Oavterton, Mr G. Beetham, M.H.R,. aud MrR,, S. Hawkins were also present. Apologies were read from members of local bodies who could not attend,

The Chairman said they had come together.to enter a protest against the Charitable Aid Act. They had waited upon the Premier unsuccessfully before -on. the subject. Tho South County had suggested the Conference, and he believed they were now present to arrange a Bill for presentation to the next session of Parliament.

The Clerk of the North Wairarapa County then read the notice convening the mooting.

The Chrirman explained that il was for the meeting to make recommendations.

Mr H. R Bunny said the measure ha would like to see presented to the House wns the: entire wiping out of the present iniquitous Act, They

could not secure this, and so they should take what they could get. Ha would movo:-" That thia conference lcsents in the strongest manner tho intolerable wrong inflicted upon this district by 'depriving it of local government in Charitable Aid matters. That it views with tho gravest apprehension the complete destruction of healthy private benevolence and the growth of pauperism which have ken brought about by tho present unjust system of taxation without representation," It was not to be lost sight of that the members for the district had a big say in the question. They (the members of this Conference) would have to back up their members in order, to get the iniquitous measure done away with. The Mayor (Mr lierun) had.much pleasure in seconding, lie endorsed the remarks of Mrßunny, they looked to their members to carry their Bill. He did not know whether it was most expedient to have last session's Bill or a new one. Their members would probably docido on the point. Mr Buchanan then explained what had led up to the present position of affairs. The members of the district had so far been unable to do much in the matter. The dissatisfaction which existed be believed was a natural one, Bills mtroduced every session since 1885 had beon thrown out. This waenotthe onlydistrictiuffeiing under the present, Act Hawke's Bay, South Canterbury, Kaikoura, Otago, and other parts were equally emba>rassed. Uountrydistricts were compelled to contribute towards the keeping of the poor in the towns, He then showed how that' this district had contributed within the last few years the sum of £4654 158 fid which would be doubled with tho subsidy, and the expenditure had only been £1956 lis •8d in the 1 district, This amount had been paid < into Wellington without the district i having control over it, It was a fact i that under the present system pan- i pprism was being encouraged in i Wellington. He would support the motion, and would recommend that, a strong deputation wait on the Primier on the subject. Mr Hawkins said that he had nothing to say about this resolution, he would present one himself lator on.

Mr G. Beetham, M,H,E„ then spoko qu the subject. It was not necessary for him to reapjtucate figures as Mr Buchanan hdnone into them fully, r[e regretted he hud not been jn Farliaraeut. last session to raise his vojee against (he present iniquituous measure, Witli Mr Buohanan and other members he intended lo try and get the measure altered. Ho thought that in introduc inga Bill claiming separation they would have to consider other districts, It would be his aim, in conjunction with Mr Buohanan, ts.actio oq'noert with members for other districts oil the subject. He wasglad that !,he'Prpmier;aiid Mr Hislop appeareo!fa/orabji)'ft their proposition. He was that tharo were no two menibors more enthusiastic on the Subject than Mr Buchanan and himself' He would support the motion witji pleasure, Mr Maunsell said it was a question" whether it was worth their wMe pending a deputation, as the Ministry appeared to be favorable to their proposal. Iftbp. deputation was appointed', it should be the heads Of the local bodies,

The'iittllpn-'.'-ffis then ;puf. and jarried.

"'%t Maunsell moved .'!• Tljat'" & deputation from this njpeting wait upon the 1 -Premier and aslt that a clause be introcW into .the Bill

about to bo introduced into Parlfa-! ment making a Wairarapa Charitable Aid Distriot 'co'-tettnitius with the' Wairarapaflo3pitai'DißtriotV , '\ i . : , ; ' Mr Hawkins seconded.. He ps glad to hear from Mr Buchanan that the Government were not going to press the Bill of last session. He was glad the Government were going to confine themselves to an amended Bill. It was not necessary for himself to go into the wrong which had been done. The treatment received by the country from the city was simply abominable'. Ho admitted the members hud do power in the matter. He did not believe in the coercion- business by introducing a number' of Bills. This was why he wanted a deputation. While he represented the country, he.w.a3 a resident of Wellington, and as siuh he protested against the introduction of Waivarapa money, as it bred pauperism. He objected to the subsidies whioh it had beou proposed to give to the city members. Mr Buchanan briefly replied to Mr Hawkins, One or two others having spoken, the motion was put and carried, and tho meeting closed. - . ; '