THE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3141, 22 July 1881, Page 2

THE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegbaph.] Sir, — Not being a "complete letter writer," in my last communication I inadvertently used the word half-yearly instead of annual, a mistake which Mr McDougall eagerly seizes on for insinuating that I am not a member of the Liberal Association, and that I am in ignorance of what I am writing about. But while doing this Mr McDougall carefully avoids meeting any of the questions which I have raised, which may

be taken as showing that he is unable in any way to justify his conduct or that of the other officers in connection with the Association. I thank Mr McDougall for putting me right, and in return 1 shall give him a few facts which will prove that'l am a member of the Liberal Association—if such an Association does really now exist—and that perhaps I am just as conversant with the rules of that body as he is. The Liberal Reform Association was established in Napier in September, 1879, and the rules were submitted and passed at a general meeting of the members held on July 9th, 1880. Now, rule 18 provides " that the annual meeting of the Association shall be held in the month of November, when the committee shall present a report of the proceedings of the Association during the past year, embodying the balanceBheet. duly audited, and a statement of the present position of the Association." We have arrived at the month of July, 1881, and yet no general meeting has been held and consequently no balance-sheet presented. Will Mr McDougall be good enough to explain the reason why this is bo. and why he, as bon. sec, has neglected his duty in not convening it P Rule 8 makes provision for the payment of one shilling per quarter as subscription. May I ask why this has not been enforced ? Did not the committee elected at the meeting held in July, 1880, promise that monthly or quarterly meetings should take place for tbe discussion and consideration of the chief public events of the day, and was not a hall hired for this purpose ? Why have these meetings not eventuated ? A " complete letter writer " such as Mr McDougall no doubt can easily reply, but I challenge him to return straightforward answers to the above queries. If the committee has such important business on hand as to require profound secrecy, why are not the members consulted as to whether the committee are acting right or otherwise P Have not tbe members as much interest in the advancement of liberal views as the committee ? Have not the committee a right to impart matters of importance to the members ? But no, Sir; this august committee,— these bloated liberals—like despots, refuse to consult the members of the Association from whom they received funds and power—the money perhaps to assist in elevating the Star of Liberty ; —the political molehills which engage their deep attention are too momentous to be even submitted to such infinitesimal and puerile beings as the members ; and the arrogant usurpers of the title of leaders of the liberal party of Napier are bo vain that their pride will not allow them to communicate the slightest particle of that wonderful information which they profess to have to those whom they rely upon for support and sustenance. All this is quite plain; there is more under the surface than is discernible; private aspirations and notoriety seem to be engaging more attention than real liberalism, and I think the time has now arrived when we should show this foolish committee its error. The liberals of Napier should at once convene a meeting for the purpose of deposing these officers, of electiDg fresh ones in their stead, and of placing the Liberal Association on a firm basis. We should repudiate all connection with schemers and plotters—men who sacrifice the public good for secret ends—and we should propagate the great truths of liberalism openly pure and undefined.—l am, &c,

A Thxie Liberal,