The proposals outlined by the Minister are:— In future, the branches shall be units of the society, and there will be an organisation for each provincial districts, to be called the provincial union, each with power of recommendation to a dominion executive.
These provincial unions will meet yearly, and upon them will be placed the responsibility of extending the society’s work within their respective provinces.
From the provincial unions there will be elected a Dominion Council, which will meet annually.
The dominion executive will be located in Dunedin, the headquarters of the society, in order that the work which has been so well done in this city by the parent society may be continued from this centre as the headquarters of the union.
The representation of the Dominion Council will be two delegates from each of the four large centres, with one delegate each from Southland, Westland, Nelson, Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay, and Taranaki.
Power will be given to the dominion executive to subdivide provincial districts in order that the work may still further be extended.
The legal advisers of the society will be requested to work out the scheme which has been prepared by the Minister, and it is hoped that the new organisation will have the effects of largely extending the work of the society.
Hitherto the responsibility of the association, so far as extension is concerned, has lain solely with the central executive in Dunedin, and the work has not been extended as rapidly as the Minister thinks is desirable, considering its beneficent and far-reaching nature.
By altering the basis, and making each leading town in the respective provinces a centre for an extension of the work of the society, it is hoped that a great field representing the scattered population of New Zealand, will be rapidly and fully covered.
In consideration of Dr King’s relationship to the society as its founder, it is intended that the constitution shall contain a clause locating the headquarters permanently in Dunedin, in order that that appreciated relationship may be continued.
• The Otago Labour Day Association was favoured with ideal weather for its twenty-seventh annual picnic and sports, held at Outram yesterday.
A special train, carrying well over 1000 passengers, left Dunedin shortly after 9 o’clock, reaching Outram at 10 o’clock.
Altogether, there were 1500 people on the ground.
The Dunedin Highland Pipe Band was in attendance, and discoursed music throughout the day.
There were swings and bags of lollies and toys for the children, and milk and hot water in abundance were provided free.
• The fine weather that prevailed yesterday and the feeling of freedom induced by the holiday took large crowds to the beach, both at St Clair and St Kilda.
The tramway loading on each line, but particularly on that to St Clair, was very heavy during the afternoon, and a great number of special cars had to be requisitioned.
Again in the evening, when the houses of amusement were opened and the people were looking for some suitable means to close the day, the loading was very heavy on all lines. — ODT, 24.10.1916.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
