REFORM LEAGUE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15022, 17 July 1914, Page 9

REFORM LEAGUE.

THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE

EXECUTIVE'S REPORT

(PE_53 ASSOC!. TTON- TELEGR-U.. WELLINGTON, July 16. Th© annual conference oi .ho New Zealand Political Reform League was opened at the Sydney -treat Hali today, two hundred and fifty delegates and nmmber- being present. Mr H. F. Yon Haast was voted to the chair. Tho Right Hon. W. F. Massey, provident of tho League, opened tho Conference with ;i spirited address, welcoming the delegatus, aud expressing special pleasure at _eeing co many represontaiiv--s ot the Maori race present. Ho referred to the loss sustained by tho Reform Party during tho year through ihe death of so many old friends, including tho late Sir William Russell aud Colonel Bloom field, of Auckland, Regarding the position of the political parties, lie expressed the opinion that tho Government was in a sound position m the country, and that before the elections came round they would havo candidates for every seat. He proceeded to say that he had no fear of the result, a. he believed tho Government to . be in a sounder position in the country than ever. Following Mr Massey*s address, a Maori delegation., comprising members of tho Maori branches of the Reform Loagno in the Hawke's Hay, Tauranga, and Bay of Plenty districts, was introduced to tho Conference, tho chiefs, Mita Taupopoki (of Rotoiua) and Mohi To At'ahikoia (of Hawke's Bay) acting as spokesmen. ■ Mr Massey, in acknowledging their I greetings and congratulations, _aid it j 'was- ihe desire of tho Government to j deal fairly by the Maori, and to placo him in tho same position as tho pakeha, EXECUTIVE'S REPORT. The Dominion Executive, in presenting its third annual report, congratulated members of the Reform League, and more particularly its leader, tho Right Hon. W. F. Massey, and his colleagues in the Ministry upon tho im- ! proved outlook and prosnects of tho party generally. The executive folt that this was largely duo to the very able, administration of the. country's affairs by Ministers during their two years of oflico, and to tho .fact that throughout tho country there was a widespread feeling that tho Reform Government could bo trusted to do its duty faithfully and to administer tho law impartially and fearlessly, aud legislate on lines that would ensure a just recognition of the rights of every citizen, whether his standing was high or low, rich or poor. Beyond this, the executive recognised, as every unprejudiced person must recognise, that tho country had lost nothing in tho shape of .liberal legislation, out gained* immensely by the of Government inaugurated on July 10th, 1912, when the then Governor, Lord Islington, commissioned their esteemed president to form the first Reform Ministry. Proof of the liberal legislation already accomplished' by Mr Massey and his colleagues was set'forth in tho special midwinter issue of the Reform journal, "Light and Liberty." recently issued, which covered tho work of tho Reform Government durir . its two vea-rs of office, and which dealt, inter alia, with the improved conditions of tho finances under the Hon. J. Allen's admiristration. and detailed "how tho man on the land" had been--, elped "how tho wage-earner is helped*" "the improved pensions scheme," and the many ivavs in whHi the Governmer' has worked "for the comi. .1 pood." It was proposed to circulate tho epeci&l number in. large'quantities throu. >••' tho constituencies, ard tho executive trusted that tho officials of tho several branches who might have- the li. . • of tho publication would make tho distribution effective. The great aim was to get the paper distributed and read over tho widest r«ossible area. "While the outlook is good," proceeded the executive, "it must be recognised, and your executive cannot too strongly impress tho fact upon delegates and supporters of tho party generally, that thero is a stiff fight in front of us, and that victory can only be secured by the Reform Party at the polls as the result of united action backed up by energetic and persistent effort. There is much in our favour, but there is also much against us... A movement has evidently been begun and apparently consummated to bring about a working agreemert and practical alliance between tho Liberals and the Red Feds, with a view towards capturing the Reform citadel next December. Tho Om>osition Party in Parliament are apparently prepared to pnv cecd to any extreme in their attempt to oust tho Reform Government from offi-e. and although Mr Wobb. like .other of his Red Fed. associates, declares that h . has «•»" less faifch it the Liberals than in thb Reforr 1 that he would cheertn lv .loin in jf no-confidenc© in Sir Joseph Wa the fact remains that the Liberals are ac-ir" upon tho advice tendered tne: by Mr W. T. MillH at the Lyttelt,«« by-election last December. Whilo waiting for their funeral, they are prepared to -uoport Red Fed candidates where seats are held b tho latter, or where it is thought■ t_ ey command a majority Trinca »'.?:«*_? split iv favour of Reform it a Liberal candidate' stands. In return, tne Liberals expect to secure the support Of the Red Feds, where Liberal caudiV tea have tho bettor prospect ot winning tho seats. Such au arrangement as this v a distinct -ennce to good government, and can oiily end in disabter to tho country. Tho danger }f, fortunately, recocnised, and with its recognitio . comes the necessity for . c- » . The -cauutry has i-o cnoose be_ tween a strong Reform Government undor Mr M__.ev. which is no_ atraid to speak its mind and pre-Crve order in times of national renl. and an Ad ministration that would bo dominated by political extremist-. wVo d«.ire to destroy the existing - constitution m order'that they may inaugurate tho socialistic state." • Tb'o report proceeds:—"Your c. ectitivo feel that it is matter for congratulation that so many representatives- or c Maori race havo arranged to attend the present Conference. The interest they arc takinz in nohtical affairs »s a very healthy sign, aud the fact that they are seeking tho assistance of tho Leatrue in bringing about important changes in the laws,, more artien .rly .fleeting themselves is, in the opinion, of your executive, an indication that the Maoris recopni c e t-iat their truest friends are to be found on th. Reform side of tho House. * Tho report was adopted. REMITS.' Committees were then set *<- -~ d. al with the remits on the Couierenc© pacer, the remainder of the morning being spent in discussing the fx. Wing remits forwarded by M-- ' ™-coca: (1) That it be a recommendation to ho Government from this Conference that in all future elections of Maori members to Parliament, provision should bo made for a secret ballot, so that the voters may be relieved of the necessity of openly "declaring for whom • they intend to vote. _2l That in the best interests ox the Native race, this Conference further urges upon the Government tbo necessity f«r taking such action as win the. Maoris to follow agricultural »*-. farming pursuits, and to afford them snch instruc+'on in the business' as will result in their becoming independent and self-reliant citizens of the State. Both remits were adopted without -iter.-'".. At tha afternoon sittiac. Questions

relating to organisation occupied attention . Among tho motions adopted was one recommending tbo provision for equal representation of men and women at the general conference. The election of officers will take placo to-morrow.