FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 248, 22 October 1867, Page 2

FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

A public meeting of the Wakefield brauch of the Financial Reform League was held in the Lower Wakefield Schoolroom on Saturday evening last. A deputation from the Town League consisting of Messrs Irvine, Elliott, Luckie, Barlow, aud Jackson, were present, the whole of whom addressed the meeting.

The meeting was a fair average one for the district, but not so large as could have been wished, but nevertheless the feeling of those who were present was unrais takable, evidencing an intelligent appre-. ciation of the situation the country is placed in, and a determination to staud by the League until the much needed reform are secured. The disgraceful transactions in reference to the consolidation of the provincial loans received condemnation on all hauds, surprise being expressed more particularly at the fact of Messrs Baigent and Parker having voted for the measui'e. Mr Jackson regretted that Mr Baigent was not present in order to give them his reasons for having so grievously gone against the people by supporting such a bill. Mr Stafford's connexion with and pecuniary interest in the B ink of New Zealand were freely spoken of as the cause of the bill being forced in the House as ifc was, and such extraordinary means being taken to get it passed into law. The grossness and wickedness of the transaction called forth the just indignation of every speaker, aud impeachment was spoken of as a fitting punishment for Mr Stafford's share in the matter.

Mr Elliott made some very pertinent remarks on the fact of its being so often and so publicly stated that Mr Stafford was the only man in New Zealand who was fit to be at the head of the Government. If, said Mr Elliott, this is the case we are not fit to have representative government at all; for the fact of a man feeling himself in such a position would be to destroy the power of the people's representatives altogether and render the whole thing a sham. Mr Elliott instanced the Cera Law League, the Reform movement, and other agitations in England, as examples of what may be effected by united and determined action, and as encouragement to the people of New Zealand to persevere with the movement they had met that evening to promote until they had achieved snccess.

Mr Luckie delivered a very earnest speech, concluding by exhorting the people to sink all minor differences, and unite on the one great question of Financial Reform until they had achieved it.

A resolution, pledging the meeting to the movement, was passed unanimously, and votes of thanks, one to the deputation aud one to the chairman (Mr Chattock), terminated the proceedings.