R.S.A. FEE FOR MEMBERSHIP

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24912, 27 June 1946, Page 4

R.S.A. FEE FOR MEMBERSHIP

PROPOSAL FOR INCREASE RESCINDED COMPULSORY MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION By an overwhelming majority, the motion carried *at the annual meeting in March of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Services’ Association increasing the annual subscription to 12s 6d, 2s 6d being the subscription to the “R.S.A. Review,” was rescinded at a special general meeting of members in the Civic Theatre last evening. About 300 attended. Opening the meeting, the president (Mr D’ W. Russell) said that the meeting had been called in response to a requisition signed by nearly 2000 members. Purely for the purpose of giving members information that would lead to a fair and proper decision, a member of the Dominion executive, Mr M. K. Mason, had made a visit from Wellington. When it was proposed that he should leave the chair, Mr Russell said he was quite easy to leave it to the decision of members and allow anybody they suggested to take the chair. “It would be a slight on our president if he was not in the chair,” said Mr E. Orchard, and several of those nominated declined to take the chair. Mr Russell was appointed chairman. Arguments., for Rescission Moving the rescission. Mr: W. Gaskell said it was not right that 120 members should friake it compulsory for between 11,000 and 12,000 members to subscribe to the magazine. He doubted whether a quorum was present when the vote was taken. If the issue had gone to a postal ballot, it would have been defeated. If it was ndt constitutional to elect the executive from the annual meeting, it was not constitutional to raise the club fees. Many country members were debarred from voting. . Mr J. Reid seconded the motion. “What is the object of putting the half-crown, on?” asked a member “You get your advertisements in the ‘Review.’ ” Another complained that when the vote wds taken at the annual meeting, 30 members working on the roll were disfranchised, although they were invited to go down for the election of the executive. “Why should the ‘Review’ carry a subsidy of half a crown a member?” asked Mr R. W. Watson. “The. cost could be carried quite easily by the advertisements.” Professors, medical men, lawyers, and the rank and file had been canvassed, said a member, and their view of the increase was, variously, that they had been bulldozed, shanghaied, emptied, and blackmailed into It. He could not give the expressions of the rank and file—(laughter). They did not want to be compelled to take the magazine, which they obtained four times a year for nothing before the war. Hundreds of'members would be lost if the motion was not rescinded. “We are not objecting to the halfcrown but we are objecting to the way things are done,” said a seaman member of the Lyttelton sub-branch. Being insignificant, the sub-branches were not notified of the proposed increase in subscriptions, he added.

Subscribers Total 71,000 Mr Russell said the subscribers at the end of April were 71,000, and the Dominion membership was 115,000. The Dominion executive considered that a paper of the standard of the “Review” was needed for the unity and standing of the R.S.A. In reply to Mr Watsen, Mr Mason gave figures showing that the budget, on a circulation of 66,000, provided for a revenue of £12,900 and a surplus of £750. When Mr Watson was criticising the inability of the magazine to pay its way ■ without compulsory subscribers, he was called to order by the chairman. “You have been twice at the stage of losing your temper,” declared a member in moving a vote of no-confidence in the chair. The motion was not seconded. Winding up the discussion, Mr Russell said there was a quorum at the annual meeting, and he considered the attendance was 230. He believed the question was put in a constitutional way. Notice of the proposal had been sent to all members and sub-branches. The motion was carried on the voices. Mr J. A. Gregor, who had spoken in favour of the motion, then moved a motion, notice of which he had given earlier in the meeting, that a referendum be taken with the next annual election on the question of fixing a subscription of 2s 6d for the “Review.” , s J His motion was also carried. “Have we an assurance that the paper won’t be used for political purposes?” asked a member. Mr Russell: Absolutely—(laughter). I can give you an assurance that it won’t be for one side or the other.