POLITICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3486, 7 June 1884, Page 2

POLITICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.

A public meeting was held last evening in the Barnard-street Hall for the purpose of forming a Political Reform Association. His Worship the Mayor presided, and there was a large attendance. The Chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and expressed his regret that Mr Turnbull, M.H.R. for Timaru, had not been called upon to preside, in order that he might go up to Wellington furnished with a knowledge of the real state of the minds of his constituency. He asked for brevity in the speakers and attentiveness in the audience, and reminded the people that they had within their own hands the power to control their own destinies, by sending good men to Parliament. He called upon Mr Kimber to move the first resolution. Mr Kimber moved —“That we the residents of Timaru and its districts, in public meeting assembled, do hereby declare that Political Eeform is a necessity no longer to be delayed, and we do now form an Association for that purpose.” In speaking to the motion Mr Eimber forcibly dejected the condition of the colony under the present depressing circumstances, and the system of class legislation prevailing, and exhorted the people to rise to the level of their privileges and begin the work of reform. The remarks of Mr Kimber were receivod with applause. The resolution was seconded and carried unanimously; about half of the audience voting. The second resolution ;—“ That wo now proceed to enrol members and all present sign their names on payment of a shilling per head to cover expenses” was moved by Mr Harvey who observed that he desired the Association to aim at educational work, and that a feature of it should be free discussion on political subjects. One thing he would like to remark was that it was rumoured that another man was to be called upon to oppose the present member for Timaru. For this part, he thought they would go a long way before they met with Mr Turnbull’s equal as a representative, (Loud applause). He then passed to a consideration of the land question and showed that the largest blocks of land were held by rich individuals and companies, quoting Mr Sealey’s pamphlet in evidence, and pointing out that the opening np of the land would bring a revival of trade. At present, he believed all the work in the country could be done by one third of the Colony’s present labouring population. Ho also advocated the diffusion of Hansard broadcast among the people, (Applause). Mr Job Hopkins asked whether the previous speaker had been talking with the intention of going into Parliament (Loud laughter.) Mr Harvey said no, but if trusted with the honor he would perhaps do as well as anybody else. He would invite Mr Hopkins up on the platform for five minutes. (Laughter.) Mr J ob Hopkins said he had no desire to go into Parliament, A voice—No, he wants Bruce along, side of him. (Laughter.) Mr Newton seconded the motion, and was instantly called upon by loud acclamation to take the platform. Mr Newton, in response, mounted the rostrum and delivered a rapid speech, in which he denounced the land legislation of Sir George Grey. Mr K. Sando suggested that no line of action had been marked out, and unless this were done, he felt sure the Association would fall through. Mr Sando’s remarks were received with disfavour.

The resolution, on being put, was carried, about a score voting for it, and one dissenting. The Chairman said the immediate enrolment of members would be the best proof of the feeling of the meeting. A number of those present acted at once on the suggestion and recorded their names.

Mr Delaney moved that those present proceed to elect officers. Mr Bower was voted to the chair for the remainder of the meeting, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring Chairman, the Mayor. The majority of the audience here dispersed, and considerable delay was experienced in obtaining a President. Finally, Mr Hamersley was asked to stand for the office, and after a little delay he consented to do so, and was received with hearty applause. There were also elected Mr T. W. Fyfe, treasurer, MrE. Harvey, secretarj', Mr J. O’Connor, assistant secretary, and Messrs Kimber, Delaney, Hollis, Dow, Bourne, Silverton, Forbes, and Wardle, a Committee —the other officers being members of Committee ex officio. Mr J. Kirby proposed that the Committee should arrange for a public meeting at an early date, and in speaking to the motion, said it was unfortunate that the objects of the Association had not been fully explained, as a matter of fact, fully two-thirds of the audience had left the room without any idea of the conceptions formed, or the objects aimed at by the Association. To himself and the members now present,it was clear what the Association desired, but he doubted whether those who had not studied the question were equally sure. Ho would suggest that at the public meeting to bo hold, a full statement should bo laid before the public of the objects of the Association which, properly managed, would become a moving power in the district. The motion on being seconded was carried unanimously.

It was resolved that the Committee moot on Monday next in Mr Harvey’s workshop, and the meeting then terminated, with a vote of thanks to Mr Bower for his conduct in the chair.