The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1867. FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 214, 12 September 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1867. FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

A public meeting took place yesterday evening at the Provincial Hall, which was respectably attended, Dr Irvine occupying the chair, for the purpose of receiving the report of the Provisional Committee appointed at the meeting held on Thursday last. The Chairman read the following report : — The Provisional Committee has lost no time in considering the important subject of the formation of a Financial Reform League, and in deciding upon such a scheme ot operations as seems to offer the best prospect of success. Tbe first thing was to agree upon the fundamental principles upon which the constitution and action of the League should be based. Tbe conclusion arrived at upon this point is expressed in the three following resolutions, which have already been printed in the newspapers for the information of the public: — 1. That it is the opinion of the Provincial Committee, that a New Zealand Financial Reform League can be productive of substantial advantage only by aiming at objects which are likely to secure the co-operation of all parts of the country. 2. That it is therefore expedient that all topics upon which a conflict of opinion is likely to arise between different provinces should be excluded from tbe operations of the League, so far as is consistent with the attainment of the principal object; and that a common base of operations for all parts of the colony should be sought in the advocacy of those broad principles of financial reform which concern all alike, and which are absolutely essential to the weliare of the country. 3. That the most important points for the attainment of which the League should exert itself are the following: — A reduction of the Customs' duties. A mode of raising the necessary revenue which shall be less burdensome to the industry, commerce, and enterprise of the colony. Retrenchment in the public expenditure. The purport of these resolutions has therefore been embodied in the rules which the committee has drawn up. In framing these rules, the Provisional Committee has endeavored to lay down such general principles as may suit a general colonial association, whilst avoiding the appearance of dictating to other provinces. Special provision has also been made? for the junction and co-operation of the Nelson Association with similar associations in other parts of the colony. The Provisional Committee has agreed that the purpose of the association will be best carried out by fixing the charge for entrance at the low sum of one shilling, in order that no person who desires to join may have any difficulty in doing so. It may, however, be confidently anticipated that many donations will be received in excess of tbe subscription money. The Provisional Committee now recommends that upon the adoption of this report by the present meeting, the Financial Reform League be at once formed and a meeting of members held for the election of officers, in order that steps may be taken communicating with other provinces by by the next mail that leaves Nelson. It is further recommended that the number to be at first elected to the committee be fourteen, including officers, the committee to have the power of adding seven more to its number when 400 subscribers have been enrolled. JRULBS. 1. The objects of the League shall be to collect and diffuse accurate information respecting the finances of the colony ; to promote all well-con-sidered improvements in the mode of raising the public revenue; and to enforce, by all constitutional means, the practice of economy in the public service without detriment to its efficiency. 2. In the event of similar associations being instituted in other parts of the colony for the attainment of the same objects, the committee shall be empoM ered to effect a union with such associations in any manner that may be agreed upon, and to adapt the name of this League to such alteration of circumstances in any way that may be expedient. 3. Every subscriber of one shilling or upwards shall be admitted as a member for the current year. 4. The business of the League shall be conducted by a committee, consistieg of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and not less than ten or more than seventeen other members, all of whom shall be elected annually by the subscribers; but vacancies occurring during the year may be filled up by the committee. 5. Besides an annual meeting, the subscribers shall he called together from time to time by the committee as occasion may arise; and it shall be competent for any twenty subscribers to summon a meeting of the whole at any time on giving a clear week's. notice in the public papers.

6. In order to secure the adherence of the public at large for the common object of effecting a.reform in the financial system of New Zealand, it shall be a standing instruction to the committee to avoid all proceedings partaking of a merely local or party character. Mr Elliott, on moving the adoption of the report, read a letter which had been received from Mr Godfrey of Marlborough, stating that a similar movement was on foot in that province, and alluded to other indications of sympathy in the objects of the league which had manifested themselves at Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington, adding that the want of some agitation in this direction was very generally felt, and that be believed that the whole cblouy would take part in the movement. Dr Giles seconded the motion, and in doing 1 so called attention to the resolution which excluded all topics upon which a conflict of opinion was likely to arise between different provinces from the operations of the League, and suggested that any discussion which might take place upon the report should chiefly be confined to the two first subjects proposed for the attainment of the League. He had heard it said since he entered the hall that the movement was too lato to produce any effect, but he was by no means sure that this was the case. The very first amendment that had been moved iv the House of Representatives against the Government financial scheme had been carried, or at all events the Government had given way upon it, and had confessed that their policy was simply one of expediency. But even supposing that it was too late for this session, it might be carried out effectually in the next. Mr William Hogg then addressed the meeting very energetically in support of the motion, urging the necessity of agitation and of opposition to the principle of indirect taxation. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The Chairman then intimated that the meeting would now resolve itself into a committee for the formation of the Financial Reform League, and having requested that all persons not favorable to the movement would either withdraw or not interfere with the proceedings, a large proportion of the assemblage present then left the Hall. Dr Irvine then left the chair, and and a motion by that gentleman, seconded by Mr Elliott, that the Financial Reform League be now constituted, having been carried, it was moved by Mr B. Jackson, and carried that Dr Irvine resume the chair. Those present were then invited to enrol their names, and pay in their subscriptions as members of the League, and about 60 persons responded to the invitation. The following gentlemen were then elected/jfficers of the League : — President, his Honor the Superintendent ; VicePresident, Dr Irvine; Committee: Messrs Giles, Elliott, Burn, Akersten, Luckie, Clements, Barlow, Stanton, MTntosh, Grant, B. Jackson, and Webb, and a vote of thanks have been carried to the Chairman, the proceedings were brought to a conclusion.

We are informed that the Mail to Europe via Suez will leave on Saturday next by the Otago. In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday, the following debt cases were heard: — Field v. Haukins. This was an action to recover 19Z 12s, the amount of twelve quarter-casks of ale, supplied to the defendant, an auctioneer at Westport, who did not appear. Mr Keon appeared for the plaintiff. Judgment for the plaintiff, for the amount claimed with costs. Stanton v. Beale. Action fpr 51 17s lOd, for goods supplied to the defendant, a surgeon in the Waikato Militia, and who did not appear, but acknowledged the debt. Judgment for plaintiff, for amount claimed with costs. Durham v. Wilkins. Action to recover 31 17s, the price of a suit of clothes supplied to defendant. Judgment for plaintiff, for Bl 17s with costs. Clarke and Harford, jun. v. Harford. Action for 31 7s, price of saddlery supplied to the defendant, who is resident at the Moutere, and who had admitted the debt. Judgment for plaintiffs, for 31 7s and costs. The arrival of the Airedale placed us in possession of more authentic intelligence as to the result of the important debate on the financial policy of the Government which was brought to a conclusion on Saturday morning last. In company with our contemporaries we were led to suppose

that the amendment accepted by the Government was that moved by Mr Stevens, affirming the inexpediency of relieviug the North Island provinces from the payment of the £24.4,000 allocated to them in 1865, but suspending the operation of the Land Allocation Act during the present year. We now find that the amendment in question was that which stood first on the list and which was moved by Mr Yogel, condemnatory of the proposal of the Government to borrow £260,000 by way of a fresh issue of debentures under the Three Millions Loan Act of 1863, and the Independent states that in spite of an abortive attempt on the part ol Mr Fitzherbert to add a rder to the amendment which would have rendered it nugatory, so general a feeling manifested itself against the money required being raised in this way, that the Government, during the course of the debate, announced their willingness to accede to the wishes of the House aud abandon the proposal. The point being thus conceded, Mr Yogel asked leave, at the close of the debate, to withdraw his amendment; but the Goverumeni would not allow this to be done, aud tried lo force a division. In this attempt however they failed, although their faithful follower, Mr Haughton, called for a division upou the motion for going into committee; for, after the doors had been locked and the toices taken a second time, no one asked for a division — Mr Haughton being unable to do so, as otherwise he would have been compelled to vote with the noes; and the motion was therefore declared to be carried. We observe iv the Wellington Independent of Saturday a statement which calls for some notice at our hands. At the conclusion of a paragraph having reference to a meeting of the enrolled members of the newly formed Volunteer Artillery Company, it is stated that the corps would be armed with breech-loading carbines, aud that the Government would find three 12-pounder Armstrong guns for their use. We are sorry to detect in this statement another proof of the wantou disregard for the wishes and interests of the people of Nelson at the hands of the present Government of which we have so often had cause to complain. It will be in the recollection of our readers that application was made to the authorities, on behalf of the Nelson Artillery Corps, which has now been in existence for a considerable period, for three Armstrong guns of any calibre, and that a reply was received, notifying that none were available for the purpose, except 6-pounders, and the Government were determined that all guns of this description should be kept in the North Island. And yet we learn from the paragraph from which we have quoted above, the Government have been able to find three 12-pounder Armstrong guns for the use of the Wellington Artillery Corps, which has only very recently been organised, and in fact only met for drill for the first time on Monday last. Again, the Wellington Artillery Corps is to be supplied with breech-loading carbines, whilst a quantity of old Tower 1858 short sword rifles are sent down to Nelson for our local Artillery Corps, which, moreover, it would evidently be unsafe to use, for instructions have been forwarded with them to the effect that they are not to be used for firing ball cartridge, but only for drill, and that other rifles must be employed for firing. Here, then, is auother gross piece of favoritism, into which the Officer Commanding this district, and who is now iv Wellington, would do well to enquire. We regret to learn that Mr Carvill, a well-known inhabitant of the Waimea District, met with a severe accident on Tuesday last, at Burkes Hill near the Wairoa Bridge, in consequence of a fall from a cart drawn by an unbroken horse, and which resulted in a compound fracture of the right leg. Dr. Oldham is in attendance on the sufferer, who, we are happy to add, is progressing favourably. The funeral of the late Mr William M'Rae took place this morning, at the Richmond Cemetery. If any proof had been wanting of the esteem in which Mr M'Rae was held, it would have been abundantly supplied by the very numerous assemblage of mourning friends who attended his obsequies to-day. The funeral procession left Bonovoree at half-past 11, and included no less than thirty carriages, followed by forty horsemen, and a very considerable number of pedestrians, which was still further augmented when it approached the township. The cemetery was reached about a quarter-past 12, where the service

used at the burial of members of the Presbyterian denomination was very impressively read by the Rev. P. Calder. The pallbearers were Messrs D. Moore, Lowe, Gardner, and Sclanders, and amongst the mourners we observed the two sons of the deceased; Mr Canning, his son-in-law; Messrs P. and R. M'Rae, bis nephews; Messrs Harkncss, D. Sinclair, Rough, Uarnicoat, aud a very large representation of friends and neighbors, who had assembled to pay the list tribute of respect to the memory of their lamented fellow-colonist.