THE NEW CONSERVATIVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10918, 28 March 1896, Page 4

THE NEW CONSERVATIVES.

A eepoet of the inaugural meeting of a branch of the National Conservative Association at Wyndham, in th© Mataura electorate, throws a little additional light upon the. political

Wms, professions and methods of the Rationalists. From this we learn ihat the Chairman intimated to :the “ fairly large ” audience that Shd Association to bo formed would be “ entirely against the present Government.” Mr W. A. Stout said he would have nothing to do with it if it was to be a party organisation; but he, for a dispassionate fton-party man, showed a considerable amount of animus in speaking of the ** horrible ” acts of the “present Administration. He implored the meeting to rise “ above the class legisllationof prohibition, Bible in schools, or the doings of the Seddon Government” The meeting promptly expressed its abhorrence of these things by unanimously resolving to form a branch of the National Association. 3?he Chairman, in reply to a question, said the branch was not intended to further the election of any particular candidate.; but it was distinctly against the present Government.. This (brought a gentleman to his feet with the declaration that he would not join juniees they “ went straight for G.F.” (meaning, the candidature of Mr G. F. [Richardson, the former Conservative representative of the district. A gentleman of liberal leanings objected that the Association would not at any rate be able to support Mr _M’Nab, the sitting member; but this poser the Chairman ingeniously parried by sayingihat Mr M’Nab might “ change ins views ” before the election. And go the scruples of party and non-party ©lectors “were overcome and the branch was formed. The significant facts to be noted .are the frank admissions that itfae “ National ” movement is at one with the Conservative Opposition in its hostility to the present Governiment, and its objection to temperance xelown. Bike other branches, that m (Wyndbrna professes not to have any interests, in view, but, with unusual candour, it admits that it jwill - only support an Oppositionist. •Bach branch will in due course be revealed in the same light, and all ,pretensions to non-party sentiment urill be thrown to the winds.