Liberal Association.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3421, 9 December 1879, Page 2

Liberal Association.

The first quarterly meeting of the Liberal Association took place last evening at the Hauraki Club room, Albert street. There were about 50 members present, and the Fresideut, Mr W. Carpenter, presided. The President explained that the main object of the meeting was to consider some rules in addition to those alreadj in force. The Treasurer, Mr Dt-nby, read the first quarterly report, which showed receipts to have been £13 12s Id, and disbursements £12 17s Id. The report baring been adopted, a lengthy discussion took place on the rules, some of which were amended, while others were struck out. Dr Kilgour suggested that power should be given to the Committee to communicate with Government, members of Parliament, and public bodies when necessarr. Mr Denby seconded, and Mr Stilwibll supported the motion. Mr McGowan thought that important; correspondence should be despatched at the instance of a meeting of members. The following addition was made to the resolution on the suggestion of Mr Garvey, "That the correspondence be published in the local papers." The resolution was then carried. On the motion of Mr J. 8, Small, it was resolved that the rules as passed this evening be the rules of the Association, and all other rules be hereby rescinded. It was decided to print the rules. The President read a copy of the resolution sent to Sir George Grey re the Property Tax, and the reply thereto. Dr Kilgour thought the imbeaile conduct of the late Government in not taking steps to arrest the JSgatibako should have been taken up strongly by the Association. Mr W. MoCullough said . he had not intended to speak, but ha- couid not allow the remarks of Dr Kilgour to pass without comment. He considered it was wrong to blame the late Government fcrthe imbecile conduct, as Dr Kilgour had characterised it, in not taking more energetic steps to arrest the natives concerned in the outrage on McWilliams, for it was generally well known that the Governor bad personally expressed a desire that no steps should be taken calculated to bring about a disturbance with the natives, especially on the eve of a general election. The speaker bad reason to know that Sit George Grey and Mr Sheehan were determined to carry out their expressed intention to arttit tilt natives, and iv proof of jhtt.

Mr Mackay had been sent from Wellington with instructions to arrest them at any cost. It was the present Government who were more to blame than the late in allowing these men to bo at large. After some remarks by Messrs Denby, McGowan, and the Chairman, the meeting adjourned.