NEW ZEALAND LIBERAL FEDERATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND LIBERAL FEDERATION.

A meeting of persons interested in the formation in Auckland of a branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand was held last evening

in the Wesley Hall. There was a

good attendance. Mr S. J. Clarke was

voted to the chair. In introducing Mr Edwards, organising secretary of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand the chairman said the idea was to take steps to further organise the Liberal party. It was well known that without organisation a party must suffer, and judging by the trend of affairs at present the Liberal party would do with a little more organisation. ■ Mr A. Edwards explained the objects of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand, and sx-oke regarding the necessity for systematic organisation. He said it was felt that elections were lost in the past to the Liberal party simply for the want of organisation. His mission was to try and form in Auckland one organisation including the various existing ones, with 1500 to 2000 members, representing all sections of the com-

munity and resident all over the

| place. Branches had already been formed in -. other parts of the colony. He knew that the Liberal Association had done good work in the past, and also the Trade and Labour Council, but he considered as far as the latter body was i concerned the connection between trade and Liberal questions should be separated. His reason for thinking so was that the representatives to the Trades and Labour Council were ejeetjed for dealing with trade questions, (but they might be Conservatives as far jas politics were concerned. The Federation was to have a colonial platform and not merely local ones. j Local bodies might select a platform j that would injuriously affect other j parts of the colony, but the Federation could select a platform for the whole colony, and one that could be accepted by the Government. In the country districts ward branches were being appointed near each polling booth. They wanted the Liberal party looked after throughout the colony. He suggested a provisional general committee should be formed in the first in- ! stance. Of course a general committee ' would be required to look after the I whole electorate. That committee Would divide the town into wards, so that the whole electorate was carefully looked after. The detail work could be left to the branches, and the general committee could see that no part of the district was neglected. The ward district branches could look after enrolling members, and the subscription had been fixed at one shilling, which all could afford. The selection of a candidate would be left to each electoral branch to decide, i The head office expected to receive ; sixpence per member for the purpose of general organisation throughout the colony.. It was proposed to have a Council meeting during the session of parliament each year. Mr McClusky asked who Mr Edwards was employed by and who he was paid by for stumping the country. He thought the Auckland Liberal Association could formulate their platform without assistance from outside.

Mr J. Gordon objected to such a question being asked. It ought not to be entertained. ' (Applause.)

The Chairman said Mr Edwards had expressed his willingness to answer the question. Mr Weston argued that the question should not be answered.

Mr Hugh Mcllhone said they were called to listen to the representative of a Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand, and he thought they ought to know where it originated. Here, after half a century of Liberal Associations, Mr Edwards came and said he was prepared to organise them. He would like also to know by whom Mr Edwards was appointed?

Mr Edwards said his employers in Taranaki were—

Mr Mcllhone: I would like to know for Auckland?

Mr Edwards: This is my first appearance before an Auckland audience, and if a branch is formed then the members of that branch will be my employers here. Mr Edwards then read the list of the agents of the Federation in Taranaki, and said as far as Auckland was concerned neither the hall nor his hotel bill'was paid for yet. He had credentials from well-known Liberals throughout the colony to show that he was recognised as the organiser of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand. (Applause.) Mr Mcllhone: Is it true that Mr Edwards is paid by the Government of New Zealand?

Mr Edwards: No. Mr McClusky: Yes. It comes from the revenue.

Mr Edwards said he had nothing whatever to do with the Civil Service. He was not paid out of the consolidated revenue. He was paid from the subscriptions received.

Mr Mcllhone said Mr Edwards had not answered his question. Mr Edwards said he- was not paid out of the consolidated, revenue but did not say how the Federation was initiated.

Mr Edwards said of course there had to be a beginning and certain people who were interested in Liberalism contributed enough to enable the thing to run until it- could run itself. (Applause.)

Mr McClusky: What is the definition of Liberal?

Mr Edwards: I have not got a dictionary with me.

The Chairman: I suggest the gentleman goes home and looks at his dictionary. (Laughter.)

Mr McClusky: You cannot answer it.

Mr F. M. King: A Liberal means a man who believes in equal rights for all and special privileges for none. (Applause.)

Mr J. S. Dickson then moved that a branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand be established in the Auckland electoral district.

Mr John Shaw in seconding the resolution referred to the mistakes made by Liberals in the past, and. argued that young untried men should not be selected for candidates. Said he striking his breast. "They should be men who have fought for the cause for the last 40 years. (Laughter.) The motion was then adopted unanimously.

The following provisional Committee was then appointed:—Messrs George Fowlds, W. J. Napier, Malcolm Niccol, J. M. Shera, Dr. McArthur, P. A. CheaJ, John Shaw, G. Peacocke, Thomas, Powell, W. Beehan, Smerdon, R, Fawcett, H. Stephenson, J. S. Dickson, F. M. King, W. young, S. Ross, T. L. Stephens, John

Patterson, J Gordon, and Mesdame* McConn y_ll. JOrdan ' GibS°D ' TiUy ' T*