"MAORILANDERS"

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 51, 7 September 1928, Page 17

"MAORILANDERS"

ASSOCIATION FORMED

FOR BORN NEW ZEALANDERS

There was a large attendance last night at tho second meeting of persons interested in the forming in Wellington of an association for those who are New Zealand-born. The business consisted in drawing up tho constitution and electing tho officers tor the year. A marked enthusiasm was shown. Woleoming those present for the first time, the chairman (Mr. H. J. Fordo) said that the large attendance was an indication that Now Zealanders were wakingup to the fact that they should unito to protect their own interests. Native Now Zealanders had a great heritage from the adventurous pioneers who had laid the foundation of the country, and it was their duty to live up to and protect it. (Applause.) Mr. M. Hyland moved that tho name of the association should be the "Maorilanders' Association (Incorporated).' Some' slight opposition had been raised from the New Zealand Natives' Association at Auckland, which had protested against the name "New Zealand" being used in any form. Mr. F. Smith seconded the motion. Mr. S. Pearson moved an amendment that two bodies, a Maoriland Daughters' and a Maoriland Sons' Association should be formed, as had proved successful in California, but upon a lady rising to ask why America should be copied, tho proposed amendment was killed. Mr. J. O'Brien asked if it wore to be an association hostile to the Auckland body. If tho Natives' Association existed in Auckland and this association were compelled to take a different name it appeared that its interests must bo hostile and he asked would it not be possible to work together. The chairman explained that the. objection against the Auckland Association was that it admitted to membership persons who. were not born in New Zealand. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. K. W. Costello moved that the motto of the association be "Advance New Zealandevs.". Mr. W. T. Drake seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously without discussion. The principal objects of the association are to honour and perpetuate the memory of the pioneers; to eneourago high ideals of national life; and to further the welfare of members. It was declared that religious discussion was absolutely barred from meetings of the association, and that the association should ally itself with no political party. The chairman said that it was inevitable that general political questions should como up for discussion, but he thought it advisable that no Parliamentarians should be allowed to hold office. This was agreed to, although some speakers were of the opinion that any member of the association winning his way into Parliament should not be barred from holding office. The subscription was fixed at 5s per annum for adult members and 2s 6d for members under tho age of twentyone. The following officers were elected:— Chairman, Mr. M. J. Fordo; secretary, Mr. W. H. Stevens; treasurer, Mr. j'\ Smith; committee, Messrs. J. Kya n, W. T. Drake, G. Nichol, J. Brady, K. W. Costello, A. Cassie, J. D. Hislop, J. O'Brien, M. Hyland, and J. J. Murray. The appointment of an organiser was left in the hands of the committee with power to act.