RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 20, 18 October 1919, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

OPENING OF CONFERENCE

QUESTION REGARDING REPRESENTATION .

The special general conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association opened nt. the Accountants' Chambers yesterday afternoon. Dr. E. Boxer (Hustings) presided.

The following delegates were present:— Messrs, P. 11. 'Watts (vice-president),-C. W. Batten (vice-president), N. B. M'Callum (vice-president), I{. J'. P. Aldrieli (treasurer), E. F. Andrew:! (Auckland), G. Beckett (Wanganui), .1. N. Ballard (Gisborne),"W. 11. -Barton f.Nanicr), P. Brewin (Eotonm), R. ,B. I>U (Wairoa), W. Bryant (Whnkatanoh 1"!. G. Cameron.(Waimate), J. A. Con-!"-- (ItnkiHka), N. A. Chin? (Kawa KnwoJ; n. Ca'.mthoun (Diimedin), IT. ErEveritt (Motvckn''. J. D. Forbes (Oamaru)/ W. A. A.lVd (Hastings), L. S. Graham (Im-cri-argill), C. Gomer (Stratford), C. .Gim?on. (Ger- - aldino), 11. JI. Haycock (Palmerston North). J. D. Harper (Wellington). E. W. Intlsr (Auckland), P.. P. Jones (Dunedin), T. Kirkham (Waip'ii-.-n-au), W. E. I.eadlej (Christchureh), T. T ong (Waihi), J. H. Luxford (Waikato), J, ■ Tnrimer (Temuka), T. Miller (Taieri), J. Jl'Ken* zie (Masterton), P. W. Mnddock (Hamilton). A.: W. Millburn (Waipawa), D. M. C. M'Burney (Te Awamu.tu), ,T. C. Neill (Levin), V. Potter (Auckland). W. Pollock (Whanparei), W. Perry (Wellington). J. Petherick (Christchnrch). B. Rcid (Blenheim), A. B. S ; evwright tWel. lington), H. L. Spratt (Hawera), ,W. R. Stevens (Taihape), W. 11. Stark' (Kniapni), D.; Smith (Gore), H. M. T.msloiCDannevirke), N. Vereoa (Nelson), P. G. Willis (Greymont.h), 11. A. WasW (Tan. .ranga). G. W. Wardrup (Woodville), J. I'. C. Walsh (Timaru)..

Prior to the commencement of the business, th« question of the representation of tho affiliated associations was brought up, and Mr. N. A. Ching (!\awa Kawa) detailed the legal position regarding tho resolution passed at the Christchurch Conference. He said 1 that the matter had been referred by the exeoutiva to Mr.- C. P. Skerrett, K.C.-, who had replied that that resolution which governed the representation of associations at , future.' conferences was mandatory, therefore, representation could not be accepted as at September 30, 1919. He pointed out,, further, that if the conference was -unanimous—and it must be unanimous—representation couM be accepted up to September SO, provided such action was confirmed at a subsequent conference. .

Considerable discussion took place on tho point, and it was stated-that the exK-.utive had endeavoured to discover a method by which tiie difficulty could bo overcome. It was', further stated that sinccr March 31, the membership of the association and tho -number of affiliated associations had almost doubled, and that on the prespnt constitution those new members and now associations were without representation at the present conference. '

A motion by Mr. C. W. Batten (vice-cln-.irman) that the associations which have affiliated since March 31 last should have one delegate and one -vote, was declaired carried unanimously.

, Mr. -P. H. Watts (Hamilton) moved: 'That thia conference adopt for the purple of. registration of votes the latest available 'financial membership of the .association with a-.view to tho proceedings bsing confirmed by n later resolution- ilpon -which voting shall be. taken in technical accordance with the constitution." ' ' Or. a show, of hands, this was, declared ibfi. ' , The question of proxies on the vofcng v,-:t,s t'lisn raised, and the chairman point-p-.l out that lie had foreseen the anomaly, which wti's that the voting had taken place on'tho present constftution, but Woro,there had been any roll cad.

Mr. AVatts recognised' that there was a division of opinion in the. conference 0:1 the point, and he asked and was granted leave to withdraw his motion. After further discussion, jt Was decided thai all associations represented at tho 1 conference, should have the full voting power to .which were entitled as at March 31, and whatever the number of delegates thos*) delegates' might use their tul 1 voting power. '

.' 11, was decided that the hours of confercnce should hi 10 a.m. to 1 p.-m.; 2.30 p.m.; to !>.30 p;m.; and 7.80 p.m. to .10.30 p.m. The president indicated that in nf.l probability the conference would sit ou Si'"'l(iy. ' ■ To facilitate the business of the conference the following committees were set up:— Benatrintion.—Messrs. T. lons', W. E. Leadley C. W. Batten, W. H. Anderson, and'P. W. Maddock.

■/Organisation and Legal.—lMegsrs. P. H. Watts,. Ji H. Luxford, W. Perry. E. W. .Indc'r, L. S. G.raham. and R. B. B«11. ' Land.—Messrs; J. A. Cowlos, .T. M'Ken7,ie, T. Miller, N. B. M'Callum, and P, Brewin.

Finance.—Messrs. JJ. J. F. Aldrich'. B. Peid, 11. L. Spratt, N. Vercoo, and D. Colijiihoun. • • Medical and Pensions.—Messrs. J. . T). Harper, V. Potter, G. Beckett, C. W. W n .rdroo, nnd H. M. Tansley.

"Quick March."—W. Pollack, J, D Hamer, D. S. Smith, H. A. Washer, and D. M. >C. M'Burney. Par and Gratuities—J. P.. Siev«-right, Wi IT. Stark. W. A, A; Ford, W. H. Barton, and E. F. Andrews. .Auckland Dispute Settled. At tlje. evoning sitting . tlu> matter of the dispute-.between headquarters a«d the Auckland' Association -brought un. The president .was a.°ked to report to the conference tho result, of the dejiborations of.-the executive which met in'Wol- , linqtoii during the iv'eek. Dr. Bnxe-r proceeded tp' explain tlml there had been a deadlock between .-hicklnnd- arid' heSdnuarters, when Mr. ,T. T). JTarner' snstwsted that tho discussion '.should be tnken in committee. No stat"\nent. fhou.'.d-be made public, he urged, until-the matter, had been decided'finally. '■ ■ : ' '. i " '

-Tho conference then went in'.o commit., tee to discuss the matter.

On resumption in open_ meeting it wa*\ reported that the following motion had been passed in committee:—'.'That the verbal. report, by the • president on the .Auckland situation bo adoDted, and that this conference learns with gratification that the dispute between tho AiKklnnd District. Council and the Executive of Hie N.ZS-.S.A. has been settled, and this conferehco. thanks the members of the 'Auckland P;S.A. and the Executive of the N.Z,U.S.A., who formed tho commitfor bringing a difficult situation to a ■satisfactory conclusion."

. The conference decided to devote (his mo,rning-to committee, work, and, to resume in- open meeting at 2.30 o'clock this afternoon.

Til view of'., the discussion which is to take place at the conference on the question of political; action, it was resolved on the motion of-Mr. A. B. Sievw>'i<»hf (Wellington) to instruct tho J.egal Committee to, bring down a definition of the meaning, of the word "non-political" as appearing in .the constitution.