THE LATE CONFERENCE,

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 149, 22 June 1881, Page 2

THE LATE CONFERENCE,

Oob"sid_ra.ble capital has been made in/certain sections out of tbe fact that tbe delegates at tbe late Conference were but few^ and it has been inferentially put it was Only tbe bodies wbicb were represented wbicb sympathised with its objects. This is by no means tbe case, as answers were received" from sixty five to tbe effect that ..tbey could not bear the expense of sending delegates but they not only thoroughly agreed with the. circular, but intimated that they would be bound by whatever should be <deeided'on'by the Conference. After the sittings bad concluded, the deputation appointed waited upon the Government, and it was promised that the recommendations would receive the most earnest consideration of ministers. Of counn, we are aware, that under ordinary circumstance that would mean very little, but it must be remembered that on tbe Conference there were several members of the House who are pledged to use their endeavors to carry out the suggestions, and the Government at the present critical junoture cannot afford to court unnecessary opposition. Reviewing, the objeot of the Conference it jsa ipatter of perfect wonder to us iwhy the various local bodies throughout New Zealand cid not, enter intp the movement heart and soul. There can be no question that such insti,t utions have . been most ungenerously treated in having the subsidies withdrawn withont receiving the slightest consideration by way way of substitute, and we feel convinced that if unanimous action were taken, and no candidate supported at next election unless he were pledged to carry out the proposed programme, the local bodies would wield, a power which no Ministry could withstand;, NO doubt should the idea be aoted upon by : the Government — and we have -been informed upon undoubted authority that it will be so — -the critics, cavillers, and croakers will be terribly disgusted, at the falsity of their prophecy.