THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9604, 19 December 1896, Page 6

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

The meeting of the National tion last night was characterised by, an air of consoious strength on the_p&« of its members which was no doubt, justified by the experience ot the recent election, and which augurs most hopefully for'the future. Those ~ who belong to the Association certainly ,# have reason to be gratified at the pre- -§ gress it has made, its growing in- ;/ fluence upon the public mind, and the victories it has achieved. The problem now is how to consolidate its forces and make it even more powerful for 4j good in the future, The keynote of ;& the solution, we think, was struck by the . | President, Dr. Jennings, when he ./$ urged that it should be made an 3 educational rather than an electioneer-. :| ing organisation. If such a body is .« to be productive of the maximum of & good it ought to be constantly alive •$, and constantly making its influence felt. We should like to see it mad*. _$ a centre, not only of " light and lead- , : ;; : ing," but of social intercourse, where ■•t.v all who desire to see pure government established in New Zealand may meet s» together on common ground. Every s\" encouragement should be given to the..,<■. 1 country settler visiting Christchurch to , > use the Association's rooms, and if fee- 5 J quent opportunities were thus afforded. to town and country electors to com- ■/;?% pare notes together, there is no doubt • that it would be to the mutual ad-y $ vantage of both. , The Assooia«o»?, 1 should not be content with a spell o» | ' . ■ . «■

preternatural activity just before an election, but should carry on an active propaganda at all times and at all seasons. Its library and readingrooms should be furnished not only with newspapers, but with sound political works of reference, so that any momber desirous of "getting up " a particular subject should have the opportunity of consulting tho best authorities upon it. Much may also be done, as the Chairman suggested, by the distribution of literaturo and the delivery of popular political addresses. No doubt this all means expenditure of energy and ability, as well as of money. But is not tho game worth the candle ? Is not the cause of sound government and purity of administration worth a little exertion and self-sacrifice to obtain ? We think it is, and now that the tide of public opinion is distinctly sotting in our favour, it ought to give us the greatest encouragement to work for " the good time corning." We hope that the excellent suggestions made last night will bear fruit, and that the Association will enter upon a new career of increased activity and usefulness.