LIBERAL AND LABOR FEDERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 15, 5 June 1914, Page 4

LIBERAL AND LABOR FEDERATION.

mw i'iA\\K)uni jiiianch,

Uiere was a very good attendance of Liberals i n Uio Town Hall last night, wiien the animal iiKcting of the Ttiranaki bandi of the Liberal and Labo.Federation took place In the absence of tlie president (IM'r D. Berry), Mr C. K Bellriuger was voted to the chair.

In .his opening remarks Mr Bell-ringer apologised for tflic absence of Mr Berry, and intimated lus regret that owing mainly to ill-health, 'that gentleman had ■been compelled to resign his position as president. He (expressed pleasure at the good attendance, especially as the time was most opportune for lotting the general pmblie know what the Liberals intended to do. The public was waiting for a sign. The Reform Government had failed to make good, Their administration 'had been really o n the lines of Liberalism, and' although they had condemned all that the Liberal Governments had done, not one Liberal measure had been repealed. In fadt, they hod tried to outdo Liberalism. Although by. what was practically an accident a Conservative Government was in power, that would not long be tolerated by the country. In the Taranaki electorate there was a strong feeling of discontent, and if the Liberals would sink petty differences and work in unity, there was an excellent opportunity of winning back the seat. The people could not fail to recognise the good work of the party in the ]>as|t, and the old idea thalt it lacked cohesion had been largely dispelled by the recent visit of members' of the "Flying Squadron."

PRESIDENT'S .REPORT. Tlio report of the retiring president (Mr D. Berry)', in .reviewing the past tnree years, remarked thnlt tihlougih at. the last election the Liberal candidate Vras somewhat decisively beaten it was not through, any fault of ihis own or his committee, but was due to tliie fact that there had been undoubtedly a reaction against Liberalism, mainly through the campaign of slander and misrepresentation carried on iby the self ] styled "Reform Parity." On the other liand, the largest liberal vote ever polled by any one man in the country parts of j the electorate was polled iby tllie Liberal candidate at last election. The reverse was entirely due to the poll in New Plymouth, where the misrepresentations were most actively spread. The prospects for the coming election were undoubtedly bright if the members solected a suitable candidate, Sunk all dif v for,ences, and avoided splitting votes. If the seat ware to be won, however, they must have an organisation strong numerically, intellectually and flancially.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The secretary (Mr. E. Armitage), in his report, stated that the special committee set up at last meeting to go into the question of reorganisation and finance, had decided to recommend the retention of the name of the body as "Liberal and Labor Federation." Reference' was made to the inadequacy of the present subscription, and it was recommended that this be in future 10a per year, or Is per month. This could, however, be subject to discretion in special cases. Organisation was largely a question of finance, and if the membership were good the branch might, in conjunction with other branches, appoint a general organizing secretary for the electorate, leaving the local secretary, whose (work was purely honorary, to attend exclusively to local work. Speakers were needed to address electors, in the iiiitcicvts of the party, and this could not be done without funds a'rid organisation. A strong appeal was made for a large membership, and a good candidate and committee. With these, it would not be difficult to win the seat for the party. , ■Mr McLcod, in snippwrting the tulop tion of the committee's report, stressed j the need for strong organisation, and advocated the appointment of a permanent organiser to work the country districts .systematically. Mr W. T. Jennings, who was accorded an enthusiastic greeting, spoke on similar lines. He also pointed out the ad visalbility of organising the ladies of the party. A brief discinfcion took place a« to whether it would be advisable to alter the name of the Federation, so as to dispel the idea which some member* stated existed, that Liberalism: was negotiating an alliance with the "ReJ Fed*," as opposed to sane LaboriteA Mr Jennings pointed out that a meeting of delegate was shortly to be held in Wellington to decide on a uniform name for all branches of the Liberal Federation, and it was therefore deemed inadvisable to alter the old name. ELECTION' OF OFFICERS.

The following officer* wore elected for tthe ensuing year: President, Mr Jas. McLcod; vice-presidents, Meftsrs C. H. Weston. .T. S. 8. Medley, C. E. Belliringwr, .1: Eustace, ,7. frlcudertdta, J?}. Richards and' E. Sole; secretary, Mr E. Armitage; committee, Messrs W. H Pitzpatrk-k, S. Paul, .1. Bennett, G. Grcv, G..Roper. W. Elliott, W. Koch, F. O. J. Piellrdiiger, Saunders, P. Coleman, IT. Aiiisworth, Staiuton, JTanright, Jlnrdwidgc, J. Smith, J. Brail, W. Woods, G. N. Bennett, ,T. KJlaffey and Charles Allen, treasurer, Mr C. E. Bellrlnger; executive Messrn Stainton, P. Coleman, Fitznairiek, J. Bennett, W. Hanright, Elliott, and G. Roper.

GENERAL. It was decided 1 that the committee should at lonee push on with the selection of a candidate, the appointment of a permanent organiser, and the arrangemen't of political addresses by Liberal members at an early date.