POLITICAL FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7974, 14 June 1887, Page 5

POLITICAL FINANCIAL REFORM LEAGUE.

A meeting of the newly-formed Political Finanoial Reform League was held last evening at Robson's Dining-rooms, for the purpose of reoeiving the names and subscriptions of members, to consider the rules brought up by the select committee appointed at the first meeting, and to consider ether business. There was a good attendance, and Mr. J. H. Upton was called to the chair, and explained the objects of the meeting. He also apologised for the absence of Mr. Boardman, who was unavoidably detained through illness In hie family. RULES AND MEMBERSHIP. Tho Chairman then read the proposed rules prepared by the Seleot Committee in order that they might be discussed seriatim. Mr. Cukrry asked for the chairman's ruling as to whether any person not a member was entitled to take part in the meeting. The Chairman said this was each a simple matter of order that he had no difficulty in ruling. They were met %o form an Association, and of course when the Association was formed only members could take part in it. I Mr. Holloway agreed with Mr. Cherry, and considerod as they had come to learn the objeut of the Association it would be piracy to demand a shilling from them before they knew what they had to join. Mr. Connell said there was a great deal in what had been said, and he thought all present, having been invited, should be allowed to discuss the rules, and he moved " That they be allowod to take part in the discussion. Mr. Kkhsing thought the firet thing should be to collect the subscriptions, and he would therefore ask that people now present who intended to join should hand in their subscriptions. He suggested, however, that the question should be waived for this meeting. Mr. Connell's motion, "That all present be permitted to take part in the proceedings, nntil the rules were adopted,' , was agreed to. The rules were then read seriatim, and discussed at soma length. In seconding the adoption of the second rule, as to tho objects of the Association, Mr. Connell said that their object should be to be united on the subject of cutting down the present abnormal expenditure, and not be led away by any side issues or political issues. Considerable discussion ensued on the proposition. The rule proposed was, " The objects of the Association shall bo (1) to secure purity of administration, substantial retrenchment and economy in the public eervioe; (2) to secure competent men of well known integrity and honesty of purpose as members of tho General Aaeombly, pledged to carry out the objects of the Association." Mr. Chkrkt moved the following amendment, " That the object of the Association be to secure x substantial reduction in the taxation of the colony and a considerable reduction in the cost of government." The Chairman pointed out that this could be made an addition to the rule. They did not conflict. There was considerable discussion, and Mr. Burton considered the rule a colourless platitude, and unless they had a League with a definite objeot, with brunches all over the colouy, they would have no weight. Thoy must not in the future have members who voted by order and thought by proxy, and he thought this rule should be reierred back to the committee to set forth the objects of the Aesooiation in a definite way. Mr. W. Duncan said that this was the rule paeaod at the last meeting, and the committee was not responsible for it. Mr. Bkll spoke in support of the role. It waa their duty to study the budget and provide a remedy. Mr. Bkll also supported the rule, and was sorry that the amendment proposed by Mr. Cherry was the apple of discord. The amendment was put and carried on the show of hands, and became the substantive motion. Mr. Holloway proposed, not as an amendment, but as an addition, And that such alteration as is possible in the fiscal policy be made as shall ( be least distressing to the population and' deterrent to the progress of the oolony." Mr. Kelly seconded this. Mr. R. Duncan hoped the mover would not press the question, They should stick to the one object of roduoing taxation by retrenchment, and they would waste the time of the members and do-no good. Let them go as tho Com League did, baldheaded for one object. The time was short, the elections would soon be on them, and they must collect information to disseminate amongst the coHstituonts ; but let themetick to-night to the one Subject of expenditure. The amendment was lost, and tho motion as proposed by Mr. Cherry was adopted. The rales a3 regards subscriptions of Is a year, officers, etc., were adopted without discussion. The Committee of Management was fixed at 20, exclusive of the officers, and the quorum after Bomo dissuseion was fixed at seven. The other rules referred to the convening of meeting*, etc., payment of subscriptions, annual general meeting in June, special meetingb to be called on the requisition of ten members to the chairman, or in hie absence to the vice-chairman; tho committee to have power to make by-laws to be approved by the Association ; no person not a member to be admitted to meetings except by permission of the chairman. The committee was empowered to frame rules for its own business, and the quorum for meotings of the Association was fixed at twenty members, and the rules as amended were then adopted. The Secretary then proceeded to recoive tho names of members with the subscription of Is, the chairman intimating that about 50 had already subscribed. The names of 59 were handed in to the secretary. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers wero theu elected :— Chairman, Mr. John Buchanan; vice chairman, Mr. D. Goldie ; treasurer, Mr. J. McLachlan ; auditor, Mr. A. Boardman. It was agreed on the motion of Mr. McLachlan, seconded by Mr. Duncan, that the appointment of secretary be left in the hands of the committee, Mr. Proudfoot having undertaken to perform tho duties for the present. Mr. S. Vailk supported this motion, and It was agreed to, and on the motion of the chairman, the thanks of the association were accorded to Mr. Proudfoot for the servioes rendered by hire. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. A number of gentlemen were proposed as members of the committee by Mr. K. Bell, but Mr. Burton proposed that the election of the committee should bo by ballot. Finally Mr. Burton withdrew his amendment in favour of a show of hands. Mr. Crowthkr pointed out that that was not possible unless they were satisfied that everyone present was a member, A show of hands was taken, and 34 voted for the amendment ; against, five. Mr. T. B. Hill than moved, " That the election of committee be postponed until a future meeting, as in the meantime many other members would join the Association, and he moved that the election be postponed till Thursday night. The motion was carried on a show of hands. EXTRAVAGANT ADMINISTRATION. Mr. MoLachlan moved, " That the attention of tho committee be drawn to the excussivo cost of administration, and the advisability of reducing the Govo rnor's salary and allowances, the number of the House of Representatives and their honoraria, of the Civil Service, and teachers, and their salaries, and of altogether abolishing tthe honoraria of the members of the Legislative Council, Ministerial residences, and the practice of granting pensions." Ho spoke in support of the motion. Mr. Hill seconded the motion, and proposed " That the discussion be postponed till next meeting." Mr. Blades moved the adjournment of the meeting, and Mr. Bell seconded the motion, which wits carried ; and a vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, and the meeting terminated.