NEW ZEALAND FREETHOUGHT FEDERAL UNION.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 7, 1 April 1884, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND FREETHOUGHT FEDERAL UNION.

FIRST MEETING OF COUNCIL, 1884. A Conference of delegates from the various Freethought Associations of New Zealand was held in the City Council Chambers, Dunedin, on the 10th, nth, and 12th of March. Delegates from the following Associations were present:—Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Wanganui, Nelson, Pitflon, and Woodville. The Conference held two sittings daily, and a great deal of important business was transacted. It is a noteworthy point that the meetings were held in the Chambers of the City Council— the first time in the history of the world when a body of Freethinkers have been allowed the gratuitous use of a State building. The principal business transacted by the Conference was the formation of a New Zealand Freethought Federal Union ; the framing of rules, and the appointment of office-bearers for the proper government of such Union ; and the discussion and passing of resolutions in connection with Freethought. The following is a resume of the business transited : NEW ZEALAND FREETHOUGHT FEDERAL UNION. President—Robert Stout, Esq. (Dunedin); VicePresident, John Ballance, Esq. ■ (Wanganui); Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, T. Cheyne Farnic, Esq., M.A. (Dunedin). CONSTITUTION. 1. For the purposes of mutual support, the Freethought Associations of New Zealand do hereby form themselves into a Federal Union. 2. The affairs of the Union shall be managed by a Council, which shall be called “ The Council of the New Zealand Freethought Federal Union.” 3. The Council shall consist of a President, VicePresident, Honorary Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer, and delegates from each Freethought Association of New Zealand. 4. Each Association belonging to the Union has the right of electing an Honorary Vice-President of the Council and two delegates, to represent. such Association in the Council. POWERS OF COUNCIL, 5. The Council shall have the power—(l) Of electing annually a President, a VicePresident, a Secretary, and Treasurer. (2) Of determining the time and place of each annual meeting. (3) Of deciding the amount to be contributed by each Association for carrying on the business of the Union. (4) Of taking such steps as it may consider necessary to advance the cause of freethought, and to give effect to the objects of the Union. OBJECTS OF UNION. 6 The objects of the Union shall (1) To render assistance to any Association or to any individuals whose religious or social freedom is imperilled or infringed. (2) To watch the course of legislation in New Zealand with the view of preventing the passing of any laws detrimental to individual liberty. (3) To take action in any direction necessary for the support and dissemmination of the principles of freethought. RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. (a.) The Council would urge on the Freethought Associations of New Zealand the need of being incorporated, and of obtaining an Act of Parliament allowing voluntary associations some easy method of securing incorporal (b.) The Council of the New Zealand Freethought Federal Union begs to tender its sincere thanks to Sir George Grey, K.C.8., and to those members of the

House of Representatives who supported his Bill, for their efforts to abolish oaths, and hopes that during the forthcoming session of Parliament the “ Oaths Abolition Bill ” will be introduced and enacted. (c.) In the opinion of this meeting of freethinkers in conference it is unwise, unjust, and unconstitutional to create in New Zealand what are termed crimes against religion ; and this meeting protests against the passing of the clauses in the proposed “ criminal code,” which purport to create such crimes. (b.) This meeting of the freethinkers of New Zealand in conference assembled desires to express its sympathy with Mr Charles Bradlaugh, member of Parliament for Northampton, England, in the arduous struggle against bigotry and injustice in which he has been for the past four years engaged ; and it hopes that ere long he may be completely triumphant, thus achieving a victory for freedom of conscience which will be hailed with delight by Freethinkers in all parts of the world. (e.) This public meeting is specially desirous of holding out the hand of fellowship to all lovers of freedom in New Zealand, and hails with satisfaction the commencement of organisation in behalf of freethought. (f.) In the opinion of this meeting'it is unjust to attempt to charge licence fees for meetings of freethinkers, whether such meetings be social or literary; and so long as the churches are exempt from rates, freethought halls should be placed in the same position. (g.) The next meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Freethought Federal Union shall be held at Wellington during Easter week, ISBS. (h.) The Freethought Associations shall be asked to contribute sixpence (6d) per member per annum to the funds of the Federal Union. (i.) The Council is of opinion that if the Associations could unite to engage one or more lecturers to visit the various centres of population, much good would result to freethought. O