AN ATTEMPT THAT FAILED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12599, 13 September 1905, Page 5

AN ATTEMPT THAT FAILED.

THE 'LIB-LAB" ORGANISER IN

WANGANUI

PROPOSAL TO FORM A BRANCH, WHICH IS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE.

BUT SO "DEAD" THAT THE SECRETARY DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS ALIVU.

INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS

Duigan's Rooms were packed to overflowing last evening, in response to the invitation of Mr. W. J. Culver, general secretary to tho Liberal and .Labour Federation of New Zealand. The object for which tho meeting was called was "to form a branch of the Liberal aik! Labour Federation for Wanganui." Thero Avas a considerable sprinkling of ladiei present. The chair was occupied by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. G. Bignell). Tho Mayor, in his opening remarks, asked for the usual fair hearing, which was always accorded by a Wanganui audience, for the gentleman who was a stranger amongst them, Mr. Culver. . Mi*. Culver then, at considerable length, outlined tho constitution and objects qi tho Federation, and accentuated his explanation with remarks which boro more or less on the subject matte? under discussion, viz., the formation of a Wanganui branch. He declared that it behoved every true Liberal to join the Federation, and, incidentally, itemised the large amount ox good that had in the past been wrought by those connected with the organisation, especially in regard to the return to Parliament of Liberal representatives, and, more particularly still; ia tho selection in the respective constituencies, of ono candidate to represent tho party. This, he said, was one of the chief functions of lhe organisation.

Mr. JR. M. Gatenby then moved that, in view of rho provisions of Rule 19 of tho constitution of the Federation, it "was not desirable to form a branch in :«Wanganui. Ho pointed out that Rule 19 provided that after a branch had selected its candidate, the names of all candidates must be forwarded to the Executive at Wellington, with whom might resi the power of final selection. ,

This resolution was seconded by Mr. Kehch, but was ruled out of order by tha Chairman.

Mr. T. B. Williams, who was at this timo amongst the audience, asked if he might mako ah explanation, and permission having been granted, he took Iho platform and stated that there had been, and stiil was to all intents and purposes, a branch .of the Federation existing in Wanganui such as that which tho meeting had been called upon to form that night. He handed over certain documents and also a cheque representing funds in hand amounting tj £1 6s. 3d. He further stated that an ho was now one of the candidates for political honours in connection with the Wangamii seat he could not possibly continuo to hold the position of secretary, which ho had held for the past six years. Mr. Williams added that as secretary of tho Wanganui branch he had some weeks ago communicated with the Premier intimating that there was likely to bo complications owing to the number of probable candidates, but had received no reply. He then placed himself in communication with. Mr. Culver, as general secretary of the Federation. Mr. Culver then remarked that the members of this branch must have been asleep, whereupon somebody interjected that he (Mr. Culver) must have been asleep, as otherwise he would have known this .before calling the meeting. ; Mi\ Culver went on .to say that «yen supposing there was a branch in existence it behoved these associated with it to keep it alive, and he hoped that, all Liberals would work towards that end.

A secretary was then proposed, but Mr, F. M. Spurdle suggested that as the local branch of the Federation had been shown to be in existence, therefore ■tho officers must still hold their prisitioii'i until successors had been appointed. .-'■'.; Messrs. F. Webb-Jones, C. E. Mackay, Love, and several others spoke, tho proceedings at times being somewhat heated.

Mi*. Culver was then asked about the Absolute Majority Bill, and he" proceeded to demonstrate by figures, on : a blackboard, how tho provisions pf the measure would affect candidates for Parliament.:

A mock ballot was then taken, .but as r. large number of those present did not record their votes, it could not be taken as a fair indication of the process. '■■'.'

Finally, after further discussion, several of those present handed in their names as willing to become members of tho .Federation, tho majority (who had throughout taken no part in the proceedings) having in the meantime left tho room.

The abovo report was handed to us by r. gentleman who claims to be a Liberal, and who was present at the meeting. A member of cur staff attended the meeting, prompted presumably by a spirit of curiosity, but without any instructions so to do. He, however, took no notes, and supplied no information and, wo understand, left the room on perceiving that matters affecting the local seat were about to be discussed. Wo are assured, however, that the report ai supplied is a reliable and authentic summary of tho proceedings, which will, no doubt, prove of general interest.