AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10836, 20 August 1898, Page 3

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE.

REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS. A meeting of the newly-formed Auckland Provincial Electoral Committee was held yesterday afternoon, in the rooms of the National Association, Queen-street, Mr. W. R. Bloomfield, chairman, presiding. There were about a dozen others present. The Chairman said they had expected a large number would be present after the circulars that had been issued. It had been intended to present the report of the Executive Committee, and make known the plan of action, but as the attendance was so meagre, he thought it would be as well to adjourn to "some future date. He deplored the apathy shown. Action was absolutely necessary, and the keynote of all should be organisation. Mr. R. R. Hunt also favoured an adjournment. Mr. Graves Aickin said the committee had gone to a lot of trouble, and prepared the details of the plan of work, but it was necessary that there should bo a large number of workers to carry out those details. It was urgent that some steps should be taken. If they waited until the elections came it would be too late. The object of the committee was to put persons on the roll who were qualified to be on the roll, but were not on. It was proposed to do it in a thoroughly systematic manner, which could only bo effected with the assistance of a large number of helpers. He did not know what would stir up the Auckland interest, but it did not say much for the foresight of those who ought to show some discernment in political matters if they did not know that they must begin at the start, and the first thng was to get those who were qualified to vote on the rolls. The committee were not working for themselves, but for tho benefit of the community, which was in want of a better Government than it had at present. They could not expect the present administration to remain in for ever. Mr. Aickin thought it was about time the Government made way for others, and if men were to bo put in who would represent the community creditably, it was time action was taken. Ho would move, "That the meeting stand adjourned for one week." Mr. Robert Farrell said he was induced to join the committee because the present legislation was detrimental to the interests of the colony. Ho was of opinion that the Government' had become intoxicated with their success, and they now thought they could do as they liked. Their late attempts at legislation proved that. He regretted that men with largo interests in the colony did not show that concern in political affairs that they should. Things wanted to go a little further, however. Directly their pockets were touched their sympathy would be stirred. Wait till the Government raised a loan, and those people would say, "I wish we had organised sooner, and kept them in check, before they had done it," Mr. Bloomfield thought perhaps his position as chairman required some explanation. He had been forced to take the position at the last moment, but was anxious to vacate the chair in favour of an older and more experienced politician. Mr. Bloomfield mentioned that he had a letter from Captain Russell, who urged organisation, and pointed out that individual effort would not win elections. Mr. Aickin assured Mr. Bloomfield that he did quite right in accepting the post. "If tho Prince of Wales himself woro in the chair, I don't think it would attract an audience,'' added Mr. Aickin, "There is a wave of apathy, and unless people's pockets aro directly touched they won't muster." Mr. George J. Garland counselled tho committee to go on with tJio meeting, It was decided to hear the report of the committee, which was read by Mr. J. Blades, the secretary. He also read a letter from Mr. W. Crowther, M.H.R., who forwarded a chequo for £2 10s, and "hoped each cue would put his shoulder to the wheel." The secretary pointed out that there were numbers of people who wore struck off the roll who did not know it. Thoy were not likely to be made aware of it, because they did not trouble to look after the matter. Mr, Hunt doubted if the objects of the committee were sufficiently known to arouso interest. Mr. Aickin explained that the principal object was to place qualified electors on the rolls. Mr. Slanders suggested they were too far off the general election for people to get into harness yet. Ho did not think there was so much apathy. Mr. J. E. Taylor wished to know if the movement was tacked on to the National Association. This was answered in the negative. . Tho Chairman said they realised that a. change in tho Governmont was necessary. Any change would be a cliango for tho better. The secretary said the objects of the noininitteo were: First, tho registration of electors and the scrutiny of tho electoral rolls; second, the selection of suitable candidates in opposition to the present Government, and the promotion of their return to Parliament; tiiird, tho formation of a fund for tho purpose of carrying out the foregoing objects. The Chairman, to show how acute was the feeling for a change, mentioned that there were two in tho room who at the last eleclion woro very strong on the temperance question, but they now felt that it had been made too much of a football by the Government, and wero of opinion that it should bo relegated for the present, and that we should return men on tho broad principle of tho general good of tho colony. Mr. Rhodes, of Ilunua, and Mr. Garland both "urged the members to go on with tea business. Tho meeting, however, decided to adjourn for a week, and meet again at the samo place and timo,