REFORM PARTY CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19910, 8 October 1913, Page 8

REFORM PARTY CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 6. The Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Political Reform League resumed its sessions this morning. The proceedings were not open to the press.

The report supplied states that Mr. E. H. Williams, chairman of the conference, presided. Telegrams were read from Thames supporters, and from the Grey mouth branch, sending congratulations on. the success of the conference.

Mr Rawhiri Turi, of Pakipaki, on behalf of native supporters in the Hastings district, declared through an interpreter that it was the desire of his tribe to support the party in power. It was hi? intention to endeavour to form branches of the League .among the Maori community in New Zealand, so that they might be in a position to help the party at the next election. On the motion of Mr H. Yon Haast, it was decided unanimously: "That this conference, having heard Mr Rawhiri Turi, expresses its appreciation of his interesting address and recommends the incon? ing executive to afford every assistance to the branches represented by the speaker, and that every"effort should bo made to form branches amongst the Maori;, throughout New Zealand.''

Reports of committees were then received and ordered £o be printed, for discussion.

Other business of the conference was of a private nature.

Nominations for the new executive were received as follow : Mrs C. W. Earle (Wellington), Mrs Hammond (Wellington), Mrs Haslam (Christchurch), Mrs Yon Stunner (Auckland), two ladies to be elected : Messrs H. D. Acland (Christchurch), B. W. Alison (Auckland), W. H. D. Bell, M.P. (Wellington), Sir Walter Buchanan, M.P. (Wairarapa), Gilbert Carson (Wanganui). M. A. Clark (Auckland), Ferguson (Marlborough), D. H. Guthrie. M.P. (Oroua), E. E. C. Hine (Christchurch), Jackson (Palmerston), John McGregor (Dunedin), C. B. Morrison (Wellington),' R. Scott, M.P. (Ofcago), H. F. Yon Haast (Wellington). James Wall (Taumarumii), and E. H. Williams (Hastings), thirteen to be elected.

WELLINGTON, October 7. The election of the new executive was the first business taken ?,fter the luncheon adjournment, the organi.-»rs acting as scrutineers. Twenty candidates were nominated for the fifteen seats, the following being elected: — ■Mrs. C. Earle (Wellington), Mrs. R. St. B.irbe Haslam (Christchurch), Mrs. John MacGregor (Dunedin), Mrs. il. FYon Haast (Wellington), Sir Walter Buchanan (Wairarana), Mr. D. IT. Guthrie, Mr. R. Scott (Otago Cenus.l), Mr. E. Walison (Auckland); Mr. W. Ji. D. Bell, MP. (Wellington), Mr. B. D. ;\ckland (Christchurch), Mr. E. H. Williams (Hastings), Mr. C. B. Morisou (Wellington), Mr. E. C. Huio (Christchurch), Mr. Ferguson (Marlborough), and Mr. M. A. Chrk (Auckland). The report of the sub-committee set nt> on Saturday to consider the question of organisation and also the remits on policy and general questions, was after considerable discussion referred to the executive as a basis of action, the executive being authorised to make any re-arrangement of the electorates unden-t-he grouping system determined jioon that might he agreeable to the provincial executives concerned.

In regard to the remits upon general questions, the report stated that tho committee had unanimously agreed to the following resolutionI—"The1 —"The committee, while not fwishing in any way to limit the power of the conference to discuss the remits of a general ature sent forward by the several branches, suggests that the movers of the ivmits withdraw their motions in order to enable the conference to devote. l?,e whole of its time to the further consideration of the questions of nnin^e and organisation for the approaching electoral campaign." Tho recommendation was agreed to, the Auckland, Hastings. Christenurch, Te Puke and other remits being withdrawn by the delegates of those branches,

The final -clauses of the report dealing with the character of the remits to bo submitted to future conferences was also agiood to, the committee suggesting that first plnce in the business of the conference be given to the ouestion of organisation and the work of the League and to such questions as the V.ttio:v.il Executive shall consider of a national character. On the motion of Mr. H. j). Ackland, the following resolution was carried by acclamation: —"That this conference of delegates representing fill parts of New Zealand desires to lec.ord its ann,rociation of the splendid services rendered to the country by the Hon. W. F. Massey and the members or iris Government, and also to express its approval of the sound and democratic legislation placed upon the Statute Boo!: dining their term of office." Mrs. Haslam and Mrs. G. J. Garland on behalf of the visiting delegates, mo^ed hearty votes of thanks to the Wellington moTniiers for their hospitality, and a cordial vote of thanks was alsr; accorded to the chairman, Hi1. tt. if. Willims, the Ittcr on the motion c f ■Mr. A. S. Holmes, who paid a niirh compliment to the ability with .wni-.'i ihnt gentleman had conducted t?;c business. The conference closed at 4 p.m.