MEETINGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12929, 27 July 1905, Page 7

MEETINGS

W.C.T.U. : A meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union was held in the Central Mission Hall on Tuesday afternoon. It was decided to send a sample of temperance literature to' Opotiki. The .superintendent of the literary department reported that the new boxes were finished and placed at the railway station. The question of unfermented wine was discussed, and a superintendent elected for this department.. Miss Statliam gave a very interesting account of her work in Parnell. , TRADES AND LABOUR COUNCIL. A meeting of the Auckland Trades and Labour Council was held in the Tailoresses' Hall, Cook-street, last evening, Mr. J. Derrick presiding. A lengthy letter was read from Mr. P. Virtue, of the Northern Roller Mill _ Company, strongly condemning the Bill introduced into Parliament recently with the object of abolishing the flour duty. Consideration of the letter, which covered, reasons why the colony would suffer from the removal of the duty, was deferred till the next meeting of the council. The Wanganui Trades Council wrote urging the appointment by the "Auckland trades unions of a medical officer to act as referee in the case of claims lodged by workers for compensation foi injuries sustained while at work, and to see that the sanitary 'conditions of the factories and shops are satisfactory. It was decided 'to inform the writers that the Auckland trades unions had done all that was possible in the'direction mentioned under the provisions of the Factories Act, After the meeting Mr. P. M. King gave an address on "Land Taxation, and Values." His remarks were followed with interest, and at the close Mr. King answered a number of questions. COURT VICTORIA, A.0.F., DEVONPORT. A. largely-attended meeting of Court, Victoria, A.0.F., Devonport, was held on Tuesday evening, the CMC, Bro. Donovan, presiding. The business sheet of the halfyearly meeting of the district, to.be held at Waihi, was discussed, 'and the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, "That P.C.R. Bro. Kent be nominated for the office of district beadle, and that the delegates apply for the January district meeting to be held at Devonport." Two new members were initiated, and one proposal for membership. AUCKLAND POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE.

A well-attended meeting- of the Auckland Political Reform League was held at the Chamber of Commerce Hall last night. The meeting was not open to the press, but the following report of the proceedings was provided by the secretary:—.

In addition to election of office-bearers, various arrangements were made in connection with the approaching elections... During the course of .the meeting' the following telegram from the Leader of the Opposition was read: — - v "On the -occasion of the first annual meeting of the Auckland Political Reform League,'permit me to congratulate its members on the good work done during the past year, and to confidently express the hope that their efforts to secure, more satisfactory representation of the Auckland district in the next Parliament will result in complete success." (Apjilause.)

; The constitution of the 'league was read, a copy of which has already been published. It is upon the same lines as similar organisations in other centres of the colony.

The animal report stated that on April 15, 1904, in answer to a circular letter, about 30 electors present at a meeting held, in the Chamber of Commerce buildings, presided over by Mr. Hugh Campbell, and the league was then definitely launched, and Mr. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, was unanimously elected president, and a secretary and treasurer appointed. ■ Subsequently ■ Messrs. Graves Aickin and W. R. Bloomfield were elected vice-presidents. From this time the league entered upon active work, and has held frequent and regular meetings.: It organised and carried .out .the meetings of the Leader of the Opposition held in His Majesty's Theatre and;in the Drill Hall, at the latter of which Mr. Massey spoke in reply to the Premier's speech in ■ the same place.'' This 'was perhaps the largest and most entluisiastio meeting ever held pi Auckland, and' was a great demonstration, against the '; Government and ' its administration. The league also organised Mr. Massey's tour 'north of Auckland, whioh-was in every way a most successful- and effective campaign. In sympathy with the work; and objects of the league here, similar organisations were started in Dunedin, Ohristolnweh, Wellington, and Masterton, and others are forming. It is perhaps only fitting to mention here the great success of Mr. Massey's campaign throughout the colony, so happily inaugurated in Auckland. He was received everywhere with the greatest enthusiasm, and his . meetings have done an, immense deal to rouse the people to the baneful effects of the present Administration, and to warrant the most hopeful auguries at the coming general election. There is. no need to tell members that there is a plethora, of work still before them.. The Leader of the Opposition is anxious that there should bo an organiser for the country districts appointed. There are adjustments to be made in' constituencies where more than one Opposition candidate is,announced, otherwise seats which could be won will be lost; .and there is a large amount of work to be done in connection with the rolls, systematic canvassing, , etc. Members and friends _ will realise _ that if the work is to be carried_ on effectively it is essential -that the organisation should. not be hampered in its finance. Those who cannot spare the. time can, and should, assist the finances of the organisation. ■