CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIII, Issue XVIII, 5 August 1912, Page 8

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON.

BY TELEGRAPH —PKESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 5. At the Political Reform League Conference yesterday, Mr Massey said that it gave fiim great pleasure to meet the representatives of men. and women who had stood by the party and maintained its principles during the 21 years it had been in opposition. (Applause.) Representatives of every electorate, from the Bay of Islands to the Bluff were present, and the gathering was the very strongest indication that the people or New Zealand had definitely decided that the public business should be conducted on clear, straight, and democratic lines, and in those terms the policy of the Reform League was summarised. (Applause.) It showed that the people of New Zealand "had shaken off their lethargy, and had determined to take an active interest in the conduct of their affairs, and there was no better guarantee of the proper conduct of political business than a strong and healthy public opinion. Regarding the work ,of the . conference, Mr Massey said that the ! most important business would_ be to ! arrange a scheme of organisation, to prepare for the general elections whenever they might come, though during the last few weeks the prospects of a general election had faded into the dim and distant future. The first duty of •the delegates was to arrange a full and complete organisation, by which, when the "necessity arose, there would be strong and popular candidates for every electorate, with strong and complete organisation to surjport them. He was sure that the conference would be productive of good for the party, and if that was its result it would be productive of good for the country. (Applause.) Mr F. B. Hockly was unanimously chosen chairman of tbe conference. Mr G. J Garland (Auckland provincial districts proposed a motion reeordmo: his high appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the country by the Reform members of Parliament, under the able leadership of Mr Massey, and congratulated him and them on the success that had crowned their long and arduous struggle for right. The motion was seconded by Mr C\ A. C. Hardy (Selvyn), and supported by many deleaates. who concurred in expressions of gratification at the success of the party. and in congratulating Mr Massev and 'his party upon the manner in which they had conducted the fi^ht for the party. There were many sincere expressions of esteem and admiration for Mr Massey personally. The motion was carried with vigorous nnolause, followed by cheers for Mr Massev, and t^e sieging of "For He'1? a Jolly Good Fellow," and cheers for Mrs Massev.

Acknowledging the compliment,, the Prime Minister said that to ancf his colleagues deeply appreciated the congratulations of the conference. One thing to be proud of was that the party had stood the test of adversity, and he believed that it would stand, with equal credit, tho test of prosperity. (Ap-pla-use.) He was confident with such help and assistance as had been given in past years that the representatives of the party in Parliament would control the destinies of the country for many years to come. (Annla"se.) A committee of 2G delegates—lo from each island—was set up to go into the details of an organisation scheme. A second committee of 10 uieivbprs was appointed to report upon the advisahilitv of appointing an official organ of the League. The greater part of the afternoon sitting was occupied with consideration of various proposals instended to assist in consolidating the supporters of the party. With this object the conference resolved that provision should be made in the constitution for the enrolment as honoraiy members of branches of voting peonle under 21 years of age. The idea was that the young people should be encouraged to take an active interest in the government of the dominion. The desirability of establishing branches of the Women's Political lieform League in every electorate was dnanimousV affirmed. The conference will resume on Mouday morning, when the principal business will be consideration of recommendations from the commitees appointed on Saturday.