THE P.P.A.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9954, 25 April 1918, Page 8

THE P.P.A.

CONSCRIPTION FOR IRELAND APPROVED. The Dominion Conference resumed at the Foresters' Hall at 9.15 yesterday | morning. Consideration of the constitution was proceeded with and occupied the attention of the conference all the morning. At the afternoon session the com>titufion and by-laws were finally adopted. The election of Dominion onicexs resuited as follows :—President, A. R. Donald; vice-presidents. J. A. Hay, E. ■McGregor, Major Johnston; gecreuary, h. S. Biiby: treasurer. S. Ascon; iNational iecuirer, i»v. Howard iaiiiotc; comuiitcee. Hon. W. Karnsnaw, Rev. linowies Smith. J. Aliddleton. J. Aston, T. S. Dickson. M.P.i auditors, iii... C. J-iudwic and J. lieliow ana Son. The following resolutions were carried : "This conference of the Protestant Political Association, representative of New Zealand Protestant opinions, expresses its fullest confidence in Sir LUw'ard Carson as leader of Ulster and assures him, and all associated with him of our deep interest in and sympathy with Ulsterinen in their struggle for liberty and loyalty." "'•This conference of the Protestant Political Association, representing the Protestants of New Zealand, records its satisfaction that the British Parliament had applied the principle of conscription to Ireland, and trusts that the opposition of the Reman Catholic hierarchy and of the disloyal Sinn Fein organisation will not deter the Government from fulfilling their duty to the loyalists throughout the Empire who have given thoir husbands. sons, and brothers, their time and substance to the cause of human freedom, whioh is assailed by Germanv _ and her allies. By every consideration of justice Ireland should long ag;o have been compelled to assume her obligations; and anv weakness on the Parfc of the British Government to enforce the measure will arouso bitter feelmes and regrets in the Dominion." "That the P.P.A., representative of ifthe Protestants of Ne<w Zealand, assembled in conference, do take this opiportunvty of making emphatic protest against any encroachment upon our naitional system of education by the granting of State scholarships to sectarian schools. That such concessions have increasingly been made 6ince 1914, unknown to. and without the sanction of the general public, we regard as a decided blow at and menace to the solidarity of the national educational system. This conference further emphatically protests against railway concessions to sectarian teachers and scholars. Further, grants made to sectarian schools for technical education, we hold to be a direct breach of the Education Aot; and we demand that tho Hon. the Minister for Education shall forthwith cancel all such, concessions as being inimical to the interest of our educational system, and against the will of the, electors of the Dominion." : " "That this conference of the P.P.A., representing the Protestants of Now Zealand, assembled in Wellington, offers its hearty congratulations to the Grand Orango Lodge of -"ew Zealand upon its foresight and wisdom in initiating the P.P.A.; and records its appreciation of the generosity displayed in connection therewith, and the courtesy and goodwill with which it facilitated tho steps which permitted of the registration of tho P.P.A. as a distinct organisation." The newspaper committee reported ■that, after duly considering the several suggestions made, they had pleasure in recommending—" That the P.P.A. executive arrange to confer with The Nation' committee, with a view to increasing the capital to £3OCO and the object of reconstructing and extending the interests of the paper to serve as the official organ of the Loyal Orango Irish and the Pfotestant Political Association." The" recommendation was adopted.