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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 67

Young Colonials' Demori Association

Young Colonials' [unclear: Demori] Association.

Now gentlemen, if I have spoken [unclear: to]-night with any effect I hope I [unclear: ha] this : I hope I have raised in the [unclear: miod] young New Zealander this feeling [unclear: I] said before, he is an important man gentlemen, mark this : You may [unclear: ha] forces which are at present wasted [unclear: Because] they have not intelligence [unclear: them]—because they have no [unclear: po] organisation. You have no [unclear: conce] what might be done by organisation [unclear: I] want the young New [unclear: Zeal] wake up to a sense of [unclear: the] ance Of public affairs, [unclear: and] page 9 [unclear: to] A perception of the fact that [unclear: is] the substance of which a great [unclear: tion] is made. And I want the young [unclear: onial] of New Zealand, not only in Auckland but all over the colony, to organise [unclear: a] Young New Zealand Democratic [unclear: ociation] in order to take an active interest [unclear: part] in political affairs. If you had such [unclear: association] as that, not committed to any [unclear: cial] programme, but a kind of committee [unclear: public] safety for the whole colony—an [unclear: ociation] which would guard the liberties, [unclear: d] the privileges, and the hopes of New Zealand, and composed, not, mark you, of [unclear: ery] young man in the colony-because I [unclear: lieve] it ought to be an association which [unclear: should] be considered an honour to long to; and my own impression there-[unclear: e] was that no one should be admitted to [unclear: anless] he came within certain limits of age [unclear: ay] twenty to thirty that he was follow-[unclear: some] outdoor occupation or belonged to [unclear: e] athletic club. That is my idea, but I [unclear: y] say that there is a young man sitting [unclear: this] room to whom I am indebted for [unclear: nging] my views into practical effect. I [unclear: ow] what was in my heart it was the [unclear: ire] raise the public life of the colony. [unclear: hen] I found the spirit of disorder mani-[unclear: ing] itself on the occasion of my first [unclear: earance], I felt that what I needed was [unclear: sympathy] of the young colonials, and I [unclear: w] that I would get it. My first idea [unclear: only] to ask the young colonials to see [unclear: I] got fair play and to put down that [unclear: of] larrikinism that I saw at my first [unclear: tnigs] and to show an interest in public [unclear: irs] and a determination to uphold right [unclear: g] But for the enlargement of that [unclear: for] the bringing of that idea to the far [unclear: re] important form which it assumes in [unclear: mind] to-night, I am indebted to a young [unclear: nial] who is present here to night. (Loud [unclear: of] "Name.") I do not know his name, [unclear: there] he is, gentlemen. (Here Mr Connell [unclear: ted] to the young man whom he wished [unclear: ake] the chair at the opening of the pro-[unclear: dings] Cries of "Platform" and "Name.") [unclear: will] get his name afterwards. (At this [unclear: ge] Mr Connell consulted the young man [unclear: whom] he referred.) It is Mr Sexton, [unclear: tlemen.")] (Laughter and renewed cries of "platform.") I am indebted to that [unclear: tlemen] for giving me a larger and [unclear: ter] idea than I had myself conceived. [unclear: d] this idea was, that I should not merely [unclear: k] the influence of the young colonials for [unclear: work], but that they should be [unclear: enraged] to form themselves into an association to do their own work. If you think [unclear: per] I shall be glad to have you throw [unclear: overboard], for I want only to be the [unclear: ans] of assisting you in the way I have [unclear: licated]. I am a politician, gentlemen—practical politician—a common-sense [unclear: tician]—I even profess to be a little in the nature of a scientific politician. And I tell you, gentlemen, that I can see the enormous power you can exercise in politics. I tell you that there is no man in New Zealand who had a constituency to represent would dare to do wrong if there was a strong democratic association like this in existence, determined to see right done, and to support only men who were determined to do right. There would be an end to all the chicanery, log-rolling and corruption, which of late have been so disgraceful to the name of the colony. Now, gentlemen, that is about all that I have got to say to you to night. But, before I sit down, I want to move the following resolution :—"That this meeting cordially approves of the suggestion that a political association should be immediately formed, and be called the Young New Zealand Democratic Association, the members of which shall consist of persons between the ages of 20 and 30 years, and that a committee be selected from young colonials to convene a meeting of such persons as may be willing to join such association, for the purpose of enrolling names, settling the constitution of such association, and otherwise taking steps to give effect to this resolution." I beg therefore to move that resolution with the greatest pleasure. And I have not the slightest doubt that in Auckland, you who are young colonials will appreciate the honour of starting this association, and that you will have branches all over the colony. And before you know where you are you will have 20,000 young men, the back bone of the colony, influencing these elections for good, and thus saving New Zealand.

Mr Connell resumed his seat amid loud cheers.

At this stage a little fellow of about 15 years, who subsequently stated his name to be Frank Mason, mounted the platform in order to propose an amendment, and was received with loud cheers. He said : Mr Connell, I wish to recommend an alteration in the resolution you have just proposed. I suppose you can easily see by my appearance that I am not used to public speaking. (Loud laughter.) I hope, gentlemen, you will give me a fair show. (Cheers.) Mr Connell, I attended both of your other meetings, and I learnt there that you were an old colonial hand. (Shrieks of laughter.) you are also, I believe, a Scotchman. Well, I am a bit of a Scotchman myself. (A voice: 'A mighty small bit," and daughter.) My experience of old colonials is—(here the lad's voice was drowned in uproar).

Mr Connell : I think, gentlemen, you really ought to give the lad fair play.

The appeal was effectual, and the youngster resumed :—My experience of page 10 old colonial hands has always boon that they give the young colonial hands a fair show. I have attended all the political meetings I could during the last three years. (Loud laughter.) And I take a very great interest in politics. I attended both your other meetings and I may say, conducted myself in a very orderly manner (renewed laughter), considering the way that other people conducted themselves. (A voice: "Oh, put him out," and laughter.) I saw your advertisement in the paper, and I have had for some years a great desire to belong to such an association as you published your intention to form. I came here, and on coming to the door I was told that I was not a young colonial hand—in fact, that I was only a boy. (Laughter.) And the gentleman said that as Mr Connell was down in Otago I could not see him, and that I knew nothing about politics. (A voice, "Let us see if you are stuffed") Well, I have managed to see you at last, and I have no hesitation in saying that if the gentleman at the door only knew one-half as much of politics as I do it would be well for him. I do not see why I should not be admitted to the meeting I was told no one would be admitted except he were over the age of 21 years. I consider that when one has reached the age of 21 he is not a young colonial. (Laughter and uproar.) I knew, Mr Connell, that this could not be your purpose, because you said your were a tactician (laughter), and tacticians should know that in order to produce any effect, the child should be trained up in the way he is desired to go. (Laughter.) I see from the resolution you have read that no one is to be allowed to join this association unless he is between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Well, gentlemen, I beg to move as an amendment that the limit of age for members of the association be altered from 15 to 30 years.

Mr Connell : Speaking to that amendment, gentlemen, I should say that if all our young fellows had the intelligence of our young friend here, it would be highly advisable to make the alteration he suggests. (Cheers.) But, unfortunately, we know but too well that our young lads have not the necessary self-control and confidence, and many would probably prove a source of hindrance and confusion to the association. I think they may very well study politics, as this young fellow has been doing very effectively for some time. (Interruption.) I think, however, we might, perhaps, carry the limit of age down to 18 years. But I do not think it would be wise to make it any lower. [unclear: (A] "Did you give him half-a [unclear: crown] laughter.) If you will allow me, [unclear: the] I shall alter the ages proposed in [unclear: m] lution to 18 to 30. With regard to boys out of the hall we thought it do so in order to ensure order when I saw the anxiety of our friend and his mates to get in, I [unclear: said] can come in, but you must [unclear: beha] selves." I now move this [unclear: resolution] 20 years being altered to 18 years.

Mr Sexton : I beg to second [unclear: the] sition.

A gentleman at this stage rose [unclear: u] body of the hall and began to [unclear: addr] chairman, but a noisy uproar [unclear: preve] from being heard. He [unclear: several] attempted to speak, but his [unclear: voice] amid cries of "Platform."

The Chairman requested a fair [unclear: hea] him, but without avail.

Mr Connell : Gentlemen, this [unclear: is] unfair proceeding. The [unclear: gentleman] to say something which I would [unclear: like] as it may throw light on the [unclear: subject] considering. (Disorder.) Why do [unclear: you] at him as it he were a bull? ([unclear: Loud] Mr Connell (to the subject of [unclear: the] You had better come up on the [unclear: plat]

The gentleman in question : No [unclear: f]

The Chairman was about to put [unclear: th] [unclear: lution,] the amendment not [unclear: havi] seconded, when Master Mason [unclear: ca] ward and appealed to the audiences seconder.

Mr Mills: I will second it.

The amendment and resolution then put to the meeting, and [unclear: upon] of hands being taken the Chairman clared the resolution carried. The Chairman asked if there [unclear: w] questions, and one written upon [unclear: a] paper was handed up.

Mr Connell however, declined [unclear: to] questions, explaining that he only [unclear: d] meetings of his intended [unclear: constituen] The assemblage at the back [unclear: of] then gave three cheers for [unclear: Sir] Grey, and three groans for Mr [unclear: Co]

Mr Council proposed a vote of [unclear: ti] the Chairman, and this brought [unclear: th] ceedings to a conclusion.

The admission to reserved [unclear: seats] ticket (free) only. About [unclear: six] orderly citizens, some [unclear: accompa] ladies, availed themselves of these [unclear: ti] Admission to the back part [unclear: of] the thrown entirely open. Any [unclear: interrnoise] was confined throughout [unclear: the] to the back part of the hall.

Printed at the Star Office, Auckland.