PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9835, 18 September 1897, Page 9

PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL

ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The fourth annual meeting of the Progressive Liberal Association was held on Thursday evening, when the President, Mr Shaw Billcliff, occupied the chair. The annual report referred to the success of the Association, claiming that it existed in the interest of no party. Its criticisms of the Government had been fearlesa and frank, while it had little in common politi cally with the Opposition. Were the Opposition in power, however, and prepared to give the reforms it desired, it would be prepared to accept those reforms at their hands. The report gave details of the work done during the year. It went on to say :— The important question of municipal reform has been, and is still occupying the serious attention of your Committee. It is recognised that the local government franchise is of the most irreconcilable character with our Parliamentary one, adult one vote franchise. Your Committee also feci that every person has a very considerable interest in local government, whether owning property or not. An effort is boing mado by your Committee to create a healthy public opinion on this greatqnestion. .... Your Committee feel that as things stand at present it is not much use endeavouring to get upon Local Boards unless the aspirant be prepared to support at all costs the property qualification. It is further of opinion that many of the members of the Aseociation could render very great service to this cause by agitating it among their friends, and by an occasional letter to the papers. There can be no doubt that we are a great way behind some of the other colonies and the Mother Country in this respect, and that there is urgent need for reform. In furtherance of this your Committee is glad to record the visit of Mr Ben Tillett to this colony. His j criticisms may be somewhat painful, but I they arc only too just. It is for such Associations as yours to lead the van in such great roforms as these, as it is uot natural to expect the representatives of property to do so Your Committee believe with Daniel Webster, that knowledge ia the only fountain both of the love and the principles of human liberty. On July Ist the Secretary, Mr J. Burgess, owing to pressure of work and ill-health, found it necessary to resign, and Mr W. Dobbs was elected to fill his place to the end of the year. The librarian, Miss Klvines, has done good work In her department, and deserves a meed of praise for her efforts. The PRBsrDKNT movpd the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr H. G. Eix, spoken to by members, and unanimously agreed to. The balance-sheet, showing a credit balance, was read and approved, and so was the auditors' report. Mr Ltjmsdrn, as one of the delegates to the Conference convened by the Canterbury Women's Institute, on the Hon. R. J. Seddon's Local Government Bill, gave in his report, which was received. A letter was read from Major Steward, stating his intention of consulting his supporters on the question of introducing his Elective Executive Bill immediately on his arrival in Wellington. A letter was received from the Trades j and Labour Council, intimating that a! deputation from that body would wait j upon the Association in reference to retaining the services of Mr Ben Tillett as ! organiser for the colony. It was decided to hear the deputation when it attended. Tbe following officers were elected :— President, Mr H. G. Etl; Vice-Presidents, Mrs M'Cready, Miss Henderson, and Messrs Eastwood and Manhire; Committee, Mesdames Blake, Parry, Willis, Clarkson, Bunt, Abrahams, Howard, and Rountree, Misses Henderson, Coinlie and Elvines, Messrs Billcliff, Gledhill, Lumsden, Ensom, Ford, Ellison (sen. and jun.), Dobbs, Lilly, Burson, Clarkson, Franklin and Fraser.

Votes of thanks to the retiring officers were carried by acclamation.