NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 353, 29 December 1864, Page 5

NORTHERN ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Council of this Association was held yesterday afternoon, at the Chamt er of Commerce Rooms, Fort-street. Present: Messrs. "W. Buckland, T. Kidd, E. King, "Warrop, "Webster, G. F. Cox, Swanson, Firth, Isaacs, Keesing, Clarke, Cadmar, and others.

The Se<B3Tah.y read thj minutes of the last meeting, which were duly confirmed. \V. Bcck.la.nd, Esq., was voted in the chair. The Secbetary stated that the sub-ommittee were not prepared to present their report, in consequence «f the holidays intervening.

Mr. Pihth said that he had had an interview with Mr. Samuel Cochrane respecting the room, and that gentleman had agreed to make a separate street entrance, to plaster and paper, and otherwise to make it as comfortable as he could—the rental to be 30s. per week. He had also made other inquiries, and could mention other rooms at £2 per week. He should recommend the Council to accept Mr. Cochrane's offer.

Ttjwas resolved that the question should stand over until next meeting.

Mr. King said that ho thought the Council ought not to allow this mail to depart w hout requesting the co-operation of the friends to the cause nt home, and preparing them for this petition, which would probably be ready by next mail, and in the meantime the matter would have some discussion, and meet with tile warmer support. He therefore would propose " That the Honorary Secretary be requested to communicate with the gentlemen nominated in Eng anfl, informing them of the steps inaugurated by the Bsociation, and the objects sought to be obtained, and soliciting their co-operation; advising them also that by the next mail fuller particulars will be furnished, and a petition numerously Bigned Trill probably be seat for presentation to her Majesty

tta° reque ? tcd to enclose a draft of 1 supply. ' nnd a °y furttcr information he can

f aul tllnt 110 cona idered tho Maori Imfive Wl f u 1 8t . ron fi 0r claimß tlian "><> pakeha. A 1V . ld lum tho other tln y that tlio Governor fi ," ~° P rote ct " Maori as well as pakeha." He that of M a* pet . ,t,on ou S hfc to be 80nt I'omc with natives from thc entirelv rlimTflf" Maori grievances wero separate petition. ° UrS ' "" d 118 BUch re^ulred a D li!hin^ STEthoUS ' lt thafc tl,e beßfc of aoeora-non-er g J ? en f Waa *?. B ,Te all tsl « assistance in the pon er of the Association by means of the pakeha l! n W n T? e f U1 V lO Maori diatrictß ! Kaipam and the Waikato for instance. He felt sure that if an appeal was made tho call would bo warmly answered in every part, and a word or two among tho natives would bo enough to set them all on firo. Ir. Isaacs thought that on a former meeting, i was agreed that the Northern Association should co-operate with tho Maoris in the question, which v importance to both ro-cea. Mr. said that we must never lose sicht of tho one main fact, that the same enemy who robbed Auckland of her birthright, would do all tlicy could to prevent her recovering it. In a desperate causo like this, ho thought it would bo hotter to join with the Maoris in the petition, and show that wo could join hand in hand in an object for the general good. A united petition Tveuld go a long way at home, and thc machinery should bo set at work as soon as possible. Mr. Kidd thought it dcsirablo that ono or two nativo petitions at any rate should be sent heme with that of the Council.

? r ;, , ' Cox (Honorary Secretarv) proposed, and sir. I'irth seconded, "That the district committee be also authorised to arrange with a number ? 1 ,", a r tlv -° ' llieis ' for tho drawing up of a petition on bihilf of the natives."

Some considerable discussion then ensued as to the best machinery to be used in obtaining the signatures in the up country districts. Mr. CiAUK proposed and Mr. Keesing seconded, "Hint the names of the following gentlemen bo added to the District Committee :—Messrs. W. Buckland, Cadman, Dignan, and Clark." Mr. Cadman thought that it would bo necessary to appoint paid agents in order to obtain signatures. Mr. King said the best plan would be to write to the principal persons in tho outlying districts requesting tliem to call meetings and appoint subcommittees.

Mr. Cadmak proposed and Mr. Webster seconded " That a committee be appointed, to consist of Messrs. Firtli, Kidd, Creigliton, and E. J. Cox, who be authorized to draw up a manifesto setting forth tlio intentions of the Association, bucli address to bo brought up as early as possible." The question of tho cost of printing and advertising was then brought up, and it was ultimately proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously, that the Secretary be requested to wait upon the proprietors of the three daily papers with the view of learning their charges for tho twelvemonth* printing and advertising of the Association. It was also agreed that the subscription list should bo published once in each daily paper, two or three days previous to tho meetings at Onehunga aud Otahuhu ; that a list of subscriptions be printed from time to time and circulated by monthly sheets throughout the Province. The meeting then adjournod.