DUNEDIN FABIAN SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 21

DUNEDIN FABIAN SOCIETY.

I A social and musical evening was held at the Zealandia Chambers on Thursday ' night in connection with the Dunedin Fabian Society. Mr A. H. Burton, vice-president, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. ! The Chairman stated that the committee had waited on Mr Sidney Webb, of the Lon- ; don Fabian Society, during his recent visit to Dunedin, and had asked him it he could see his way to give an address before the Dunedin Society. Air Webb, however, regietted that he could not comply with the request, as ho was only making a flying visit .to this city ; but he gave the secretary a mesj sage for the society. ! The Secretary said Mr Webb expressed his rogret that he and Mrs Webb could not be presput that night; but he desired him. to convey their best wishes and congratulations to the members for having so live a society. , He had heard of the Dunedin Fabian Society i as far away as Auckland, and it seemed to be I much the best known of all similar groups in . the colony. He thought the London Society would gladly welcome entering into correspondence with the Dunedin Fabians, and suggested that the society here should become affiliated with that at Home. Mr Webb also gave him (the secretary) a briet account "of the doings of the society in the old country, and said: — "The London Fabian Society consists of about 700 members, and I think it is more active and alive than ever it has been, ! tut the local societies in the provincial towns I have very largely converted themselves into , centres for tbe Independnt Labour party, and have ceased to exist as Fabian Societies. ( The individual members, however, remain members of the London Society. The majority of the society do not quite approve of , the tactics of the independent Labour party. I We do not think that an Independent Labour , party _ under existing circumstances in Eng- , land is the best way to obtain progress in collectivism. For instance, we think New , Zealand, where the Liberal and Labour par- ' lies have remained in alliance, has made far I more progress in the last eight years than , Queensland or Victoria, where the labour ! element has split off from the Liberal party. ! Of course the work of the London Society is I practically confined to educational propa- ■ panda and economic investigation. We combine the investigation of economic problems with the direct participation of our members in the work of government ; so as to influence 1 administration in a collectivist direction. A j very large proportion of our 700 members are [ members of governing bodies of one sort or another. We urge upon our members that ' they should individually take part in ,as many organisations as possible, i especially elected governing bodies. I mean ' in New Zealand we should try to get elected ,to school committees, boards of education, , town councils, and the Legislature, so as to i influence these in a collectivist direction. I At the same time, we think it of the utmost ; importance to keep on studying. At prei sent England, and also New Zealand, is stopped from solving those problems pressing ! for solution from sheer lack of knowledge iof how to solve them. Wo don't really know j what is wanted to be done, and that is why ; -\\ c think economical investigation must be | carried on practically by the individual ; but 1 we have found it useful to study in common. j We have had 'committees for preparing re- ! ports on particular problems, which have i been very useful in ecfucating all members of I the committee in everything that is known about those problems. Then we have a very useful arrangement of circulating book-boxes. j We have about £500 worth of the best books ; on economic and social questions on all sides ' circulating in travelling book-boxes, which 1 any group of members, or, indeed, any trade ; union, can obtain for a few months at a nominal payment. In that way we place : our members in possession of the best acce3- | sible books. Then, of course, we have the regular fortnightly meetings, either for memj bers only or for the public; but we consider 1 the individual work in study and public administration much the most valuable part of our work." i At the conclusion of the secretary's read- ' ing of Mr Webb's account of tho London Fabian Society, an enjoyable musical programme was carried out, the performers all meeting with a cordial reception. Solos wero contributed by Misses Black, Cowie, Hood, ' Swanson, Fisher, Hutchison, and Pyrke, Messrs Eagar, Reid, and J. Sw.au, the lastmentioned causing much amusement by his comic songs. Mr A. H. Burton was warmly applauded for a reading. After the concert the assembly adjourned to another room, whore refreshments were supplied. Progressive euchre, whist, cribbage, draughts, and various other games were then indulged in for an hour or more, after which the gathering broke up.