REFORM UNION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 134, 2 March 1935, Page 22

REFORM UNION

Preparations For General

Election ANNUAL MEETING The fifth annual general meeting of the Reform Union, AVellingtou branch, was held recently at the Reform Club, Featherston Street, AVellingtou. A large and enthusiastic gathering of members was presided over by Mr. G. N. xVrmstrong. Apologies for absence were received from the Right Hon. J. G. Coates,-Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, and Mr. D. 11. Hume.

In his opening address the chairman stated that, for the past two years the union had been in moribund condition, due perhaps to the extension of the life of Parliament. In bis opinion, although the purposes and ideals of the union were many, its most useful purpose was the assistance it could give at the elections. AVith the elections approaching at the end of the year, and with the ever-increasing menace of the Labour Party, it was essential to revive this body so that at the end of the year it would be in a position to cooperate with the Government in a campaign against the Labour Party. The Labour Party had undoubtedly a wonderful organisation, and it was the duty of the Reform Union to effect a better one.

In presenting his report and balancesheet, the retiring secretary, Mr. F. D. Stafford, stated that for some time the union had been inactive. This' was, no doubt, due to the fact that Mrs. Harold Johnston and other members of the executive had left AVellingtou. With the assistance of Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, to whom he was greatly indebted, Mr. Stafford has succeeded in reviving sufficient interest in the members to enable the meeting to be called. The report and balance-sheet, which showed a cash balance of £29/10/-, were read and adopted. Election of Officers. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, the Right lion. J. G. Coates; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. A. L. Treadwell, AV. B. Matheson, J. B. Mac Ewan, Mesdnmes Stone and Earle; chairman, Mr. C. N. Armstrong; secretary-trea-surer, Mr. F. D. Stafford; committee, Misses S. Coates, J. Hawley, S. Kissel, and T. Peckston, Messrs. C. Brown, I. Graves, E. Grant-Taylor and AV. Tuckwell. It was decided that the union should meet on some definite evening each month, and that the Reform Club should be approached to that effect. It was also resolved to approach the Right Hon. J. G. Coates with a view to ascertaining the future policy of the Reform Party, so that the union would have some definite object to work for. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Stafford for his invaluable .assistance in the task of reviving the union. The meeting, closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, and the evening concluded with dancing, bridge and supper.