BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

The controversy, which assumed its most virulent form in the
first half of 1887, was significant, not so much in itself, but for
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what it revealed about the League.
Despite the overbearing nature of
Bartlett's attacks, they struck a responsive chord among many
Habitation members who sought greater local and regional freedoms and a
reduction in Central Office expenses.
Criticism against excessive Central Office powers not
surprisingly achieved its greater expression in England.
A letter to
the editor in June, 1886 and signed "Rural Knight" complained that the
headquarters was badly managed and that local Habitations were
seriously lacking in funds as a result of their contributions to the
London executive.
By February the following year the editor of England
wrote that its columns could be filled with similar complaints.51
John D. Bonner, Honorary Secretary of the Stoke Newington
Habitation, undoubtedly expressed the feelings of many rank and file
members when, in April, 1887 he wrote complaining of the severe
crippling of his Habitation by lack of sufficient funds.
He suggested
that over 27 percent of his association's revenue in the previous year
went toward fees and badges, an excessive amount, given the more than
nine thousands pounds in reserve at the disposal of the League.
Complaining of the Council's promise but failure in fact to reduce
fees, he urged Habitations to unite to achieve this end.
That promise not having been fulfilled, I consider
that habitations should write to secure the promised
reductions without delay, the more especially as the
5 * Robb, The Primrose League, p. 62, citing England, 5 June
1886 and 5 February 1887.