NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10410, 29 July 1899, Page 5

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION.

Tbe fifth annual meeting of tbe National Association (Canterbury action) -was held at tbe Association's rooms on Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance, and.Mr A. E. G. Rhodes occupied tbe chair. ■ Tbe report of tihe Council was read as follows:— '*' . " . * j Meetings. —»Your. Council begs to report that since theTaimual 'meeting held in July, I§9&V there have, been eighteen meetings of tho 'Council, and three general meetings of the Association. The members ot tbe Council have been very regular, in their attendance, and have watched with keen, interest the political events of the year. Witfc-the prospects of an interesting session of Parliament, and the near approach of the general election, your' Council confidently expects a revival of interest in political matters on the part of members of the Association, equal, to, it not greater than, that displayed prior to tbe last general election. Treasurer. — The financial matters of the Association had been attended to during the year by Mr T. Lisle, who, at the request of the Council, undertook the office of treasurer. Through our monetary arrangements having been in such excellent hands, your Council is able to report that all the expenses of the current .year have been met, and that there is a small credit balance to carry forward. Secretary. — In August last Mr. Kernaham, who had acted as honourable secretary with consummate ability for a considerable time, tendered his resignation df that office in consequence of his departure for the West Coast. Much regret was felt by the members of the Association at the loss of Mr Kernaham's services. Mr W T. Edgar, a member of the Council,' accepted the position vacated by Mr Kernaham, and has been most zealous in attending to his duties, and it was decided to appoint an assistant, so that the rooms might be left open during the day as well as in th e evening. Attendance at the rooms. — Copies of the leading newspapers, Parliamentary returns, and vHansard,'" are filed in the rooms, and your Council would like to draw the attention of members to this fact in order that they may avail themselves to a greater extent tfhan they have hitherto done of the facilities thus provided for enabling them to follow the proceedings of Parliaruent, and political matters 'generally. In the opinion of your Council, it is highly important that members should keep themselves well posted in current political matters, for there never was a time when the constitutional rights and liberties of tbe people have been so flagrantly interfered with as during the Ueddonian regime, and at no period ot our existence has there been greater need of a keen scrutiny of the acts 01 the occupants of Treasury Benches than at the present time. .membership.—During the year just closed there has been a steady accession to the ranks of the Association. Your Council would remind members that much may still be done in the way of securing recruits by the exercise of individual influence, and that our membersnip cannot be too extensive. Dr. Jennings.—Your Council has to report with much regret that during the year Dr. Jennings, one of t<he vice-presidents and president of the Association during the year 1896-97, - tendered his' resignation as vice-president in consequence of tho extent of has professional duties rendering it inconvenient for him to attend our meetings. Recognising the value of the work .done by Dr. Jennings during his occupancy of tbe offices mentioned, your Council desires to place on record its high appreciation of the great services rendered by him to tho Association.

Railway League.—As the result of a conference which the Council was instrumental in bringing about between the various commercial, pastoral,;, industrial, labour and political bodies in Christchurch for the, discussion of matters in, connection with) our railways, your Council has to report that the Canterbury Railway Reform League has been established. The notorious grievances of this provincial district in, connection with railway rates and management have been fully dealt with, in a most able report,, and although, so far, the success achieved has not been by any means commensurate with tihe strong efforts made by the League to obtain justice for Canterbury in railway matters,- still some concessions have been gained. It id "to belbtoped that the a'epresentatives of the province -will'do tbeir.best to second in the House the League's demand for more equitable treatment, and that- the League will not relax its efforts until those demands have been complied with. General Election.—Your Committee , would draw the attention of members to the necessity, in view of the forthcoming general election, for aninfusion oi greater energy into the work of the Association both at the centre and at its various branches. With the prospect of a keen contest in the near future, your Council feels justified m asking that the best efforts of members be put forward in support of the camdidoites selected to represent tho party, and these efforts should not be delayed. . With good organisation, assisted! by hard work, there is every reason to hope that we may,have the satisfaction of seeing members returned pledged to those principles of sound legislation and honest Administration, to secure which was the object of the founders of this Association. ' Ladies'' Committeea—Your Council, recognising the excellent work, done at the last election by the lady members of the Association, urges the early establishment of strong ladies' committees, being certain that if such committees are formed in good time they will exercise great influence on the coming election. Enrolment of Voters.—Your Council desires to call attention to the paramount importance of an early registration of those electors whose names do not yet appear on the rolls. Much voting power is undoubtedly lost to the party at every election through neglect of members to attend to enrolment. Retirement of Councillors.—ln accordance with article 8 of fhe Constitution the following Councillors will retire, but are eligible for election (and have been nominated accordingly):—Messrs E. C. Bushell, R W. Eastwood, A. G- Howland, W. Jacques, A. E. G. Rhodes, H. Skinner, G. M'lntvre, G. Smart. President.—-Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, who has occupied the Presidential chair during the last two years will not* your Council has great regret in stating, consent to nomination for a third term of office, as he will be a candidate for Parliament at the general election for £vcm. It will, therefore, be necessary to elect a President. Vicfc-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary.— It will be necessary to elect. members to fill the offices of Vice-Presidents (2), Treasurer, and Secretary. The following officers were elected: — President, Mr A. W. Beaven; vice-presi : dents, Messrs H. L. Bowker and J. Jamieson ; Council," Messrs E. C. Bushell, R. W. Eastwood, A. G. Howland, W. Jacques, A. E. G. Rhodes, H. Skinner, G. Mlntyre, G. Smart, W. H. Oheesman, J. R. Brunt, H. Some of the members addressed the meeting on matters connected with the work of •the Association arid with general politics, and the proceedings then terminated.