NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 309, 23 September 1908, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NATIVES' ASSOCIATION.

. PUBLIC MEETING: The first public meeting in connection with, the newly-formed New Zealand Natives, Association was lield at;. Godber's liooms last evening, Dr. Wallaco M'Kenzie occupying tho chair. Despite-.tiie inclement weather, there was a fair attendance. ' lii opening, tho chairman referred to this necessity of fostering' a national spirit—a feeling-of. love of-country. Party politics would, not be entered into, bSt matters af- - footing their welfare would, ue dealt' with.' The .fostering, of kinship would'not be overlooked, and social gatherings would be held. They would become a power in the country, although they did not intend to run candidates for Parliament, but if the association said a thing was to be it would-be. Funds 'would be needed, although it was not proposed to use them for the buildings they, would liavo shortly. " " Mr. C. W. Tanner said the meeting should be grateful to Dr. M'Kenzie for bringing the matter forward. A man_ had. a; better chance of obtaining a position if he came out from England than if ho wero a na:tiye,_ and lie gave an instanco of a visitor who quietly got a Government billet. It was when they saw New Zealanders overlooked that they would- be ablo to take definite action. '■

Mr. G. London remarked that the association had a higher object than to find Government billets for people. (Hear,, hear:) Ha had' been in the. Government service, and he could only regard it as so many years wisted. Tho speaker said that tlioy should not act against the: strangers. ( Voice: Let them all come. _ . • The .question having been raised, it was stated that a similar association had been formed in 1889. • . Tho.chairman: Oh That was only a benefit clubr ' ;'A doctor .wanted to get the medical work, and Jig wanted me to share it with him. (Laughter.), . . .Mr. L. Mackenzie, did not agree with some of the remarks regarding emigration jwe wanted emigrants. . (Hear, hear.) Replying to a question, tho chairman said that at .present. lie.'was not in favour of starting a benefit scheme like that obtaining in Australia. He knew that tho Australian association was not a success until' it did this, but it had a large membership, and it could l offer benefits that could, not be offered here for a number.of years.'

. Officers ■ wore elected as follow:—Patron, the Hon. W. P. Eeev.es; president, Dr. F. W. Mackenzie; vice-president, Messrs. G. London and W. H. Bennett; secretary, Mr. A. H. Vilfe; treasurer, .Mr. C. W. Tanner ; committee, Messrs. L. Mackenzie, Leigh Hunt, S: Pearson, J. Flyger, J. W. Buchanan,- H. Cootfe, C. W. Blundell, Captain T. W. M'Donald, Lieutenant J. Clough, A. T. Ryan, and W. G. Faulknor. The next meeting will be held in a fortnight's time. ■ ■ The ' moeting concludcd with' a vote "of thanks to .the chairman. -» •

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