SOLDIERS DISPUTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 275, 16 August 1919, Page 11

SOLDIERS DISPUTES

RIFT IN ASSOCIATION SECESSION BY AUCKLAND PROBABLE By TelceraDh—l'rosa Association. Auckland, August 15. Secession from the New Zealand Heturned Soldiers' Association by the Auckland branch is regarded by many Auckland members as inevitable. A statement in reply to the criticisms of the national executive was issued this morning by the Auckland Association. In explaining the attitude of the Auckland executive, Mr. i'\ Andrew,'; remarked that , on the occasion of the last Dominion conference■ of. associations, the New Zealand exccutivo brought down a, scheme by which headquarters would control the provincial organisers, and also, tlio organising fund. A sub-com- ' mitteo was set up which propounded a proposal for the existing scheme, giving provincial committees control of the organisers and of the funds for organising work. The scheme stipulated mat ti>o local associations should pay a capita- ' lion lee of 2s. to headquarters, ami 2s. • to tlio provincial committees. The proposal was approved by a. large majority of the conference, although tlio president of the New Zealand -Association ; andseveral members of tHe present Dominion executive -fought very bitterly _ against it, declaring when'it was carried ; that it would be a failure. Subsequently, it was pointed out that a dual capitation. ■ fund wolilii involve two returns from oacli association, and that .a simpler method would be to remit the 4s. to headquarters so that tlio funds could he de-« livered "to the different' provincial organisations to which they .were attached. Tlio conference agreed to this'modification.' Immediately affer the. conference, the Auckland Association appoint-,, eil its organiser, and went to considerable expense and trouble in mapping out tlio district, and in due course appliedto the 'Dominion'executive for funds. ■ <Yt that time about iti'oo w.a? duo. .Iho association received 110 reply to".its wires ami letters until alter the Dominion I. executive, had met, and then, they were informed that the Dominion .cxecutivo claimed . control over . the lunds. Ihe. executive intimated that " u .-certainomount was "being placed iu the /MUkto the credit of the Auckland rrovmciul district, and that tliAy were nominating certain members" of. the provincial committee to operate on the fund, but that the funds would remain the property ot tho executive!' - 'l'liey also claimed the right, to stop payment at any time and place. Naturally 'the Auckland provincial committee objected to this course as oemg absolutely contrary to the intention and dec, Won of the conference; and regarded tho attitude of the exccutivo as an endeavour to f'orco (lie bitinche.s t'o.accept the scheme they had unsuccessful y brought before the conference Already expenses to tho amount ot well oyor-iajKl . had been incurred in coiulectio'n- with the | organisation scheme, and a. member of - tho association had had to find this money privately, as there were no funds available. - "Since the conference, continued Mr. Andrews, "headquarters have tried every means in their power to hamper the scheme of -provincial;organisation." ' Moreover, their intention was revealed by a "resolution' passed at an executive meeting since tho conference to tho effect tlmf, subject to notification and reasons being sent to ■ the branch association, the decision's- of the conferouce might be mudilicd if in its opinion, such mollifications were vital and immediately necessary in .view of new condi- ■ lions having arisen, AVith. icgard to political action, Mr. Andrews. remarked that there w;is certainly an impression amongst the Auckland members-that tho determined -efforts made by headquarters to prevent the organising scheme being carried out in the Auckland' province were the result ot tlu>. attitude; of ■ the local association towards political action, and that the centra! executive did not wish the Auckland Association to become anv-stronger than at present. Already the Auckland uioviuce vepresented 40 per rent, of the total membership, of the Dominion. It should be understood, however, that the Auckland .organiser had received.definite instructions that he was not to push political .action in-Mii-licction with his duties., It was certainly the .intention of tho Auckland Association to battle for political action, but the cost of so doing would be-defrayed from tlio local association's funds. , Tho organisation fund would not lie used for that purpose. In conclusion, Mr. Andiews pointed out that the strongest opponents of political action had been mom bars holding Appointments under tlio Government, and that Civil Servants were represented strongly on-the Dominion executive.