BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

62
thousand pounds would be invested.
That same month a bank account was
opened with London and Westminster Bank to cover office
expenses and
salaries. 24
By the end of March, 1887 the Capital Account had risen to
£959.18.7. The following year it totaled over ten thousand pounds
(£10,824.6.7).25
As the organization expanded, increasingly efforts were made to
restrict the spontaneous expression of Habitations or their
representatives.
This was achieved by the Central Office through a
number of means including correspondence, sending representatives from
London to outlying regions, and continually revising and tightening
statutes expounding uniform standards of behavior, rules, methods, and
activities.
Efforts were also made by the executive to minimize controversy
and criticism at gatherings held by both the Grand Habitation and the
local association.
As early as April, 1885, a motion was made by a
member of Grand Council to restrict the powers of the Grand Habitation,
the chief vehicle for a national airing of local grievances. The
following year the statutes were changed to require that notice be
given by delegates submitting motions, two weeks prior to the annual
meeting.
In July a two page Precept was issued on the "Standing Orders
of Grand Council and Rules of Procedure,"26
which made explicit how
24
Jbld., 24 March 1886.
25
The Primrose League Gazette, 21 April 1888, p. 4. The
March, 1887 figure is derived by subtracting the Capital Account
earnings of £1,226.8.0 for 1887-88 from the cumulative total for the
year listed at £10,824.6.7 to get £9,597.18.7.
2^ Minutes of the Grand Council of the Primrose League, 22
April 1885; 7 April 1886; 16 July 1886.