ANNUAL COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12483, 26 June 1926, Page 5

ANNUAL COUNCIL

PROSTESTANT POLITICAL ASSOCIATION REPORT OF PROGRESS. The ninth annual council of tie Protestant Political Association met in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute this week. Mr Ira Bridger, Dominion president, presided, and delegates from all the districts in New Zealand were present, the attendance being the most widely representative for several years past. The president, after welcoming the delegates, addressed the council on the progress of the association. He said that the reports would reveal that the association bad made excellent progress, and that it stood, at the present time, in a stronger financial position than at any previous period in its existence. The methods of organisation adopted within the last two years, whilst not courting the publicity of earlier years, had been most effective, and the results as shown in the general election were of a very satisfactory nature. The president proceeded to deal with a number of questions which are of vital interest, and stressed the need for the association “to actively oppose tho influences which are seeking to break the great and historic Church' of England.” Proceeding, reference waa made to “the grave situation which has developed in the Labour world and the attempts being made by the Soviet Government and the Socialists to take advantage thereof. The interests of tbe Empire and of society at largo demand that the association, in common with other organisations, should make h strenuous effort to bring about an improvement in the relations between employers and employees.” It was suggested that this might he done by arranging conferences under the auspices of the groups of the association, by affording opportunities for representatives of both sides to speak, and by open discussion of the problems which concern both Capital and Labour. SECRETARY’S REPORT The Dominion secretary’s report was presented by the Rev. Howard Elliott, and stated that the organisation, aa well as the financial position of the association, had been strengthened, and was very satisfactory. The engagement of organisers to work in the provincial districts had proved successful, and it was proposed to augment the organisation by the engagement of organisers attached to tie head office. The financial statement and balancesheet showed that the inoome had exceeded the expenditure, and that, although the cost of the election campaign was heavy, owing to the large amount of literature distributed, the financial position was satisfactory, but that the development of the work of organisation would require larger funds to be raised than hitherto. The remits from the groups and districts were considered, and it was decided that the time had come to agitate for the closing of primary schools other than State schools, in the interests of national education and of the State. The council reaffirmed its conyiction that it is impolitio and improper that teachers others than those educated in tbe State schools or similar schools shonld he employed as teachers in onr State schools. A prolonged discussion arose on the question of socialistic legislation and regulation, and it was agreed, by a large majority, to urge upon the Government the necessity for restricting socialistic legislation and of government by regulation. The council expressed its approval "of the Government policy of immigration, hut urged that a more careful and close scrutiny should be made in order to secure a higher mental and moral type of immigrant. The following motion was carried: “Whilst in sympathy with every effort to secure peace and prevent war, this council is of opinion that there are influences at work in and behind the League of Nations which are inimical to the interests of the British Empire, and urges that attention be directed to tho need for maintaining the national dofences and freedom from entangling alliances which may imperil the integrity of the Empire.” Hearty congratulations were extended to the Hon. Messrs Nosworthy, Bollard, Young, Wright, and Williams, and to the Prime Minister upon the reconstructed Cabinet. It was decided to amend the constitution to provide that the annual meetings may take place in either one of the four centres. The election of officers took place, and the council closed with votes of thanks to the retiring officers, organisers, and district and group officials.