THE NEW ZEALAND NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 34

THE NEW ZEALAND NATIVES’ ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Allow me to put your “ Fat Contributor ” right on certain points, viz., that Sir Robert Stout originated or is carrying on the formation of this Association, and that ho will havo any controlling influence in settling its programme. Sir Robert knew nothing whatever about the proposal to form such an Association until I showed him the advertisement calling the meeting, which I was forwarding to tho Post. 1 forward you the circular which is being sent to tho other towns, from which you will seo the proposed method of settling our . platform, Ac. In tho face of this circular I think you will admit Sir Robert Stout or any other politicians who try tc exert a controlling influence in getting our programme settled to suit their own ideas will have a pretty large order on hand. A proposal to allow any one who arrived in New Zealand very young, and who has since been brought up and educated here, to join the Association, will probably be carried. The burden of the present debt of the Colony, which is steadily increasing, will very shortly havo to be borne almost whoii.y by native-born New Zealanders, and it therefore behoves them to now take a leading hand in preventing any fun her unnecessary burdens being placed on themselves and their children, and also to work together in favour of all legislation which will promote tho prosperity of tho community as a whole and assist in doing away with the present pernicious attempts to set class against class. As tho members of tho Association will be of all trades and professions, their suggestions as to tho most beneficial legislation should bo of more weight than those of any other particular class associated with the main object of benefiting their own individual class regardless of the welfare of the rest of tho community. Despite tho cavilling remarks of your “ Fat Contributor tho Association is almost certain to he a success, and, therefore, tho promoters, while only too glad to receive advice fioui well-wishers, must protest against your “Fat Contributor” placing the creditor starting the Association to outsiders. I am, Ac., A. If. Lon an, Acting-Secretary.