Progressive Liberal

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 11 May 1895, Page 7

Progressive Liberal

Association,

At the usual fortnightly meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association, held on Thursday evening, there was a good attendance. Mr W. I. Ballinger (president) occupied the chair.

A considerable amount of routine business wns disposed of, and several persons were admitted to membership. A deputation of unemployed, headed by Mr W. H. Dacombe, waited on the'committee, and asked thut the Aisooiation should do something to secure the provision of work. Tho deputation wero asked to supply, ao soon ss possible, the committse with a Hat showing tho namo**, addresses, occupations and ages of the men out of work, and to state whether they were married or single, and the number dependent upon the bread-winner. A Bub-com-mittee was appointed to deal with the matter, and was aoked to tako action as soon as possible. It was also roaolved thut the Secretary ond President should pay a visit to Borne Government property at Addington to ascertain whether something could not be done with it.

Correspondence was read j— From the Premier, 'acknowledging the receipt of a resolution expressing approval of the Government's scheme to cope with the unemployed difficulty. Mr Seddon .expressed his pleasure that the new departure met with the approval' of tho Association. From the East Christchurch School Committeo stating that the committee could not seo its way to vote on the resolutions submitted with reference to Canterbury College. From the Linwood Borough Council declining to express an opinion, and from tho St Albans Borough Council acknowlegiug receipt of circular.

Tho following bodieß wrote covering their vote on tho resolutions submitted *. — Bootmakers' Union, Canterbury Liberal Association, Tailors' Union, Railway Servants' Society, the School Committees of Hampstead, Lincoln, Lyttelton, Sheffield, Glenavey, Weat Lyttelton, North Lobnrn and Southbrook.

Lengthy communications on the question of old ago pensions wero received from the Pioneer Assembly Knights of Labour, Auokland, Elthatu Assembly Knights of Labour and the Ground Bent Bsvenue League, Auokland. On account of pressure of bnßineae, consideration was deterred until next meeting. The Ormondville Knights of Labour, Annat Women's Institute, and -the Kaikoura branch of the Workers' Union, wrote heartily approving of the scheme. The Gisborne Women's Political Association forwarded the following resolution on the scheme :— " That this Association heartily sympathises with the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association in its deßire to securo old age pensions, but it is not prepared to pledge itself to tho financial proposals. This Association wonld suggest that probably a very good way of financing the scheme would be for the State to do its own banking business, issuing its own Treasury notes as legal tender against security and apply the profits towards payment of old age pensions." The Otago Typographical Association wrote approving the principle, bnt deemed it nnadvisable to express an opinion at present. The Tailoreeses' Union, Christchurch, wrote approving tho scheme with the exception of tho age at whioh the pension Bhould be receivable, it thinking sixty quite old enough. The Trades and Labour Counoil of Otago forwarded the following resolution:— "That this Council thanks the Canterbury Progressive Liberal Association for tho activity displayed in drawing up an old age pension scheme, but would prefer a scheme that would provide for national insurance and old age penrnons combined ; and that, while believing in the principle, cannot pledge itself to support aay particular Bcheme at present."

Several other communications were road and dealt with.

The following resolution was carried unanimously :— "That this Association is of opinion that the system of granting pensions to the Judges of the Supreme Court is wrong in principle, and would urge upon the Government to introduce legislation at an early date abolishing the practice."

Tho Secretary was instructed to write to the Gisborne Knights of Labour, thanking them for a pamphlet on tho State bank question.