From The Vegetarian (London) February 1, 1896:

The Annual Meeting of the Vegetarian Federal Union was held in the Memorial Hall on Friday last, the 24th inst. The following delegates were duly nominated by the respective societies to be present and represent them, viz. :-

The Vegetarian Society. - Mr. Albert Broadbent.
London V.S. - Mr. C. W. Forward, Mrs. McDouall, Miss C. B. Cole, and Mr. E. Bell.
Devon and Exeter V.S. - Major T. W. Richardson and Mr. I. J. Pengelly.
Dutch V.S. - Mr. A. C. Field.
Dunfermline V.S. - Miss E. E. Cole.
West Ham V.S. - Mr. T. J. Barlow and Mr. Mr. H. Boden.
Northern Heights V.S. - Mrs. F. L. Boult, Mr.Wm. Theobald, Mr. J. W. Sidley, and F. S. Ogilvie.
Bolton V. S. - Mr. C. W. Forward and Mr. H. E. Brierley.
Deutscher Vegetarier-Bund. - Mr. W. Becker.
Women's Vegetarian Union. - Mme. Alex. Veigelé.
Kilburn V.S. - Mr. J. R. Rodger.
Reading V.S. - Mr. T. R. Hanson and Mr. D. W. B. Ackerman.
American V. S. - Miss May Yates
Dereness Valley V.S. - Mr. F. P. Doremus.
Halifax V. and F.R.S. - Mr. C. H. Worsnop.
Paddington V.S. - Miss Hopper.
Birmingham V.S. - Mr. Hayward.
Scottish V.S. - Mr. J. Oldfield.
Sheffield and District V.S. - Mr. F. P. Doremus.
St. Pancras V.S. - Mr. S. G. Goodfellow.
Brighton V.S. - Miss C. B. Cole.
Punjab V.S. - Miss.A. Veigelé.

Telegrams and letters of apology for unavoidable absence were read from Mr. Brierley (Bolton) and Mr. Brown (Cambridge). The proceedings opened at 11 a.m., when the President's address was preceded by a short report by the Hon. Sec. of work done, and a capital racy and humorous speech by Councillor Joseph Malins, J.P.

The President then, in a wide survey of the work of the Union and the purpose of its organisation, emphasized two important points. He first pointed out that while individual enthusiasm was of the utmost importance, and its value could not be over-estimated, yet a time always came when enthusiasm needed to be coupled with and guided by definite organisation. That time had quite arrived for the Vegetarian movement. The world was full of motion and progress, and everyone was awaking to the existence of the subject and the need for knowing more. Now was the time to take the tide, and by solid, earnest, organized effort to bring Vegetarianism to the fore. It is the small organized army which routs the unorganized rabble a thousand fold as strong. It is the well-trained crew that pull together who easily out-row the stronger men whose notions of time and swing are various and inharmonious. The Federal Union has a function to organize, to get all societies ad all workers into line, that nothing may overlap and nothing may be waste.

The President further went on to point out the necessity for making much of officers whether paid or unpaid. It was a great maxim in first-rate cavalry regiments that the horses should be "made much" of, and it is the same in organizations. The speakers who come and speak to great audiences, or who turn up at committees little know of the ceaseless energy and patience and anxiety that is required from the official staff. He therefore very earnestly pressed upon all connected with societies to make much of the official staff. (Applause.)

The discussion then turned on the great spread of unofficial Vegetarianism, and the recognition of the fact that for one enrolled member or associate there was probably scores and hundreds of persons who are quietly living a Vegetarian life unkown to societies, and knowing little or nothing of even the existence of aggressive mission work. The discussion further took up the subject of Vegetarianism as the cure for the drink crave, and Mr. Malins, Mr. Broadbent, Mrs. McDouall, Major Richardson, Miss Hopper, Miss Yates, Mrs. Boult, Miss D. May, Mr. Doremus, Mr. Saunders, and Miss Veigele took part.

The morning was followed by a lunch to delegates in the Vegetarian Board Room. It was served by Mr. Relfe, of the Acme Vegetarian Restaurant, was in very good style, and was much appreciated.

The afternoon session was largely attended. The balance sheet was read by the hon. treasurer, the several reports by the several agents and secretaries of societies. The report is published in full, and will be sent free to any one forwarding a stamped addressed wrapper to the Secretary, Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, E.C.

The officers for the year 1896 were then elected by ballot, and the following were the officers appointed :-

PRESIDENT - A. F. Hills.
VICE-PRESIDENTS (honoris causa) - Rev. Professor J. E. B. Mayor, William E. Axon, Rev. H. S. Clubb, Josiah Oldfield.
HON. TREASURER - Wm. Theobald.
HON. SOLICITOR - G. C. Prior

The Annual Meeting then moved a vote of thanks to the retiring hon. secretary for service ably rendered, and unanimously agreed to the appointment which had been made by the Executive of Mr. F. P. Doremus as secretary of the Union.

The following resolutions proposed by the executive were then carried unanimously :-

"That no society shall be entitled to vote at any public meeting of the Union until one month has elapsed from the date of application of the same for affiliation to the Union."

"That the delegates of foreign societies should be considered to remain in office for the next general meeting, after the expiration of their year of office, if no credentials should have been received. This shall refer, however, only to those foreign societies which have been in communication with the Union during the previous year, and as to which the Committee is satisfied that credentials will be likely to arrive."

"That every Society shall pay a fee of 5s. on affiliation, and that this shall entitle the society to one vote at any general meeting held during the remainder of the year, and that a further fee of 5s. shall be paid for each further vote claimed during the period. And that after the expiration of the year in which the affiliation had taken place, all fees shall be payable in January 1st, viz. 5s for each vote claimed by the society."

It was then decided to hold and International Congress in London in the summer of 1897 in connection with the jubilee of the Vegetarian Society.

The session was followed by tea and general conversation and renewing of old acquaintanceships.