HENRY GEORGE'S VISIT.

Evening Star, Issue 8116, 16 January 1890, Page 4

HENRY GEORGE'S VISIT.

A meeting of those interested in securing a visit to Dunedin of Mr Henry George, the Well-known advocate of land nationalisation, Was held at the Coffee Palace last evening ; Mr A. Bathgate occupying the chair.

The Chairman* said that Sir Robert Stout was to have presided at the meeting, but a letter apologising for his non-atten-dance, on account of an important engagement, had been received. Sir Robert stated that he was most anxious that arrangements should be made whereby a visit from Mr George would be assured, and added that, whether the views held by the latter were shared in or not by persons, they should endeavor to hear him Bpeak. Sir Robert mentioned that there were many points in Mr George’s political platform which he himself disagreed with, but he thought that everyone would admit that Mr George, of all men, had placed the land question in the forefront of political and social questions ; and the proper solution of it would greatly add to the prosperity and progress of the colony more than anything else. Mr Milnes (who offered to subscribe La to the guarantee fund) also apologised for non-attendance. Tho chairman, continuing, read a communication which had been received regarding Mr George’s proposed visit, and also read a covenant containing proposals made by the Committee working in that connection at Sydney. From these it appeared that Mr George would himself defray hotel and travelling expenses, but the sum of L 1,200 would have to be guaranteed by the colonies. The principal centres throughout the colonies would be visited, each having an equal share of lectures irrespective of the amount subscribed. It was suggested, said the chairman, that as many signatures as it was possible to obtain should be affixed to the guarantee document; the local Committee would receive the amount subscribed ; they would place the money in the bank, and then leave the matter in the hands of the Sydney Committee. But it was also •stipulated that the Sydney Committee should exercise supreme control, and that "they should fix the times and places for Mr George’s visit. That being the case, they might not receive a visit from Mr George in Dunedin at all; and therefore those present were asked to fall in with the suggestion that a guarantee fund, consisting of a number of guarantors for small amounts, should be started here, and the sum of LSO or so having been raised, they would then be sure to receive a visit. It was also stated that the surplus would be .divided among the single tax leagues of the Australasian colonics, in proportion to the amount subscribed; but there were no single tax leagues in New Zealand, and some persons might possibly object to guarantee for the benefit of such an organisation. Therefore, the course he had suggested was, tie considered, more preferable to the other. The laud question was a most important one, and there would be little difficulty in getting up a guarantee fund. It was for the meeting to decide whether they should act as he had suggested—the proposal, however, really emanated from Sir Robert Stout—or whether they should accede to she request of the Sydney Committee. Mr G. P. Clifford asked whether there was any chance of a single tax league being started here ?

The Chairman' answered that there might ■be. There were similar leagues in Sydney and Melbourne.

Mr John Lee (of Christchurch) thought (that every effort should be made to secure a visit of one whom he considered one of the ablest men in the world. He would show ■the people of New Zealand how to become a trappy family, and his visit to this colony would do a great amount of good. He suggested that the other centres of New Zealand should be communicated with. The Chairman - said that that had been done, but no reply had as yet been received. Sf they desired to take any action he feared they should simply represent Dunedin or Otago, and not New Zealand.

Mr H. K. Wilkinson - said that from a ■communication addressed to him from Auckland he learned that they were working in conjunction with the Sydney Comgnittee. He thought the Social Reform Association would be considered a single tax league, because the Anti-Poverty League at Auckland had been accepted under that heading. Mr J. B. Callan, in moving to the effect that a guarantee fund be raised, as suggested by the Sydney Committee, for the ■purpose of securing a visit from Mr George, said that although he did not adopt all the .latter’s conclusions, ho looked upon him as an original thinker, an able man—a man who had given time, ability, and attention 4o thinking out some of the leading problems ■of the day. They should not let the coming •opportunity slip, and he would like to hear Mr George speak to the public, E or that reason he was willing to become one of the guarantors.

The motion was seconded by Mr M'Adam «mfl carried nem dis.

The principle being affirmed, a discus ■sion ensued as to whether arrangements •should be made in conjunction with the Sydney Committee, in preference to arranging for a distinctly separate guarantee fund here. Eventually it wan decided to arrange matters in conjunction with the Sydney Committee, Mr W, Hutchison dissenting on ■the'gronnd that, one of the provisions in the covanent giving absolute control to that Committee, Dunedin (after guaranteeing a ■certain sum) might not receive a visit at all. A committee, consisting of Sir Robert Stout, Dr Biilau, and Messrs Bathgate, Chip, H, Wilkinson, and Bolt, was appointed, and a vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.