SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 21 March 1907, Page 24

SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

.The business was continued on Thursday morning, Bro. "P. J. Nerheny ('district president) being in the chair. Some discussion was evoked when Bro. J. W. Callaghan (Wellington) moved the fallowing motion :—: — * ," That it" is expedient in the best interests- of the society, and for the better representation of branches at ■ the. District Board meetings, that the Board office be removed from Auckland to Wellington.' "■ The president said that the motion was similar to onethat came up at. Timaru three years ago, and -'that •he had taken; the precaution of obtaining- legal advice as to- whether he would be acting irregularly if he accepted the motion, and he had been advftsed that he would not. Bro. Callaglian said that the resolution, in Ms opinion, was the most important that, would, come before the meeting. He urged the .delegates to support the mot/ion, contending amongst cither things that ex-, jpense® would be cut down by the change. They would in "Wellington be able to get 'a representative boardmeeting once a year. He hoped .the discussion would be a fair one. Miss. Butcher (Milton), who was received, with loud applause, seconded" "the motion, - her reason being, she. said,, that Wellington was more central,'and the executive wouhL there be in better touch with the business. Brp. R. Casey (Auckland) strongly - opposed ,the motion. He did not tMnk it would be wise to sacrifice the present sound financial management f for the chances of improvement in_ Wellington. The re1 suit 'during the board's term m Auckland nad shown faithful, arduous, and persevering labors by the executive. Bro. S. O'Brien (Wellington) favored the motion. Bro. P. G-. Duggan (Oamaru) opposed the proposition, which he described as a radical one,- inasmuch as it aimed a blow at the^ root and well-being of the whole society. Being one of the oldest members of the so- - ciety.'he traced the progress for the past twenty .years, during' which time the board's office had been in Auckland, and pointed out the inadvisableness of making the change. Bro; B. Nolan paid "that the expenses were too heavy with the District Board in Auckland. Bro. J. Corbett (Auckland) opposed the motion, and pointed- out that the implicit confidence placed in "the present executive was shown by the fact that the- same officers had 'filled the positions for some fifteen' years. Bro. Sheahan (district -treasurer) said ■that the arguments in- favor of the , motion were -geographical; but no society could exist on geography. They had said that' board meetings could be held an- " nually in Wellington, which/ he thought would 'be a mistake, for with annual meetings enthusiasm would soon be lacking. He opposed tthe change being made also on the ground that Wellington was not a good place to invest friendly society money in, especially the Hiber- .' nian 'Society's money, as the values rose ana" fell in an uncertain manner. The management fund was economically managed, and he challenged anyone, to dispute it. The district secretary was doing! .work that he (the speaker) would not do for £150, and also - dedng invaluable work that was not costing the society a penny. Bro. O'Gorman (Westport) supported themotion on the ground that they- would get direct representation in Wellington, as also would ' many other branches, a,nd do away with the necessity for proxies. Father Holbrook opposed the motion, considering that c a bird, in the' hand was worth two in tihe bush,' and also- saying that it did not say much for thc*ir business capacity to send all their -finances, to Wellington on a mere ' perhaps.-' Bro. G-. J. Sellars (Ohristchurch) said* that if the change were .onade to, Wellington the interests*' of the society would be safeguarded and husbanded in Wellington eaually as' well as, in Auckland. He intended to throw in Ms lot \itth - those in -favor of the change. At this stage the meeting adjourned until Friday. - A nress message from Auckland on Monday stated that the meeting, after twelve' hours'' debate, toy 36 votes to 18, reiecte'd the nroocsal to- remove the District Board Office to We-llinecton. The' office remains at Auckland. The society nlaced on - record its appreciation of the la.bors of Messrs. Joseph Devlin and .T. T. Donovan, Iris-h envoys, to disnel many, if not -all, tjvj slanders against Ireland and its people. Mr. J.- Cor■be+t was fleeted viop-Dresident. The next conference will be held at Wellington.