RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

NEWZEALANO CONFERENCE

QUESTION OF ORGANISATION DECENTRALISATION SUGGESTED. The epccial general conference of delegates of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association continued its sitting on Saturday, the president (Dr. E. Boxer, of Hastings) occupying tho chair. The main question discussed was t)hat of organisation, which arose over the recommendation of the Organisation nnd legal Committee that certain .remits from Auckland on the matter should be taken at once. As a prelude to this subject some reference was made to the matter of political action, tho above-named committee having been asked to bring down nition of the meaning of tho world "nonpolitical" as appearing in the constitution. The committee reported as follws:— (1) The committee is ,of opinion that the. word "non-political" is not a dictionary word, and if; not capable of gtrijt definition in a legal sense in the absence of an interpretation clause. In view of the conduct of the business of the N.Z.R.S.A. since the adoption of its constitution, the committee considers feat an intention of tho framers must now be inferred that the exertion of influence .jpon tho Legislature by direct or indirect means is not intended to be included so long as 110 action is taken to affect the personnel of the House of' Representatives. _ . , (2) The-committee is of opinion that the vital question in connection with organisation is the matter of provincial autonomy re.ised by fee .remits of the Auckland Provincial Committee, and that this question i? provincial autonomy should be dealt with by conference at the earliest _ possible moment. To achieve this purpose the committee recommends that the remits of fee Auckland Provincial Committee be. taken at the earliest possiblo moment.

Political Action. Referring to that portion of the report touching on the question of politics, M.r. •W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) said he thought that tho putting (if questions to candidates .would interfere with the personnel of th» House. He did not think they should discuss the legal opinion as to the meaning of the word "non-political" as tihey were all satisfied in their own minds as to what the word did mean. Mr. T. Long (Auckland) congratulated the committee on bringing down a draft constitution which made provision far political action. It showed that the efforts of the Auckland association had not been in vain. Mr. J. 1). Harper (Wellington), raised a point of order on the ground that tho conference was not discussing political action, but merely the question ns to whether tho report should be received. The point of .order wais allowed and the report was received and adopted. . Four Provincial Associations, " Mr. I'.-H. Watts, of Hamilton, and a •vice-president of the N.O-.5.A., then moved tho adoption of the Auckland remits dealing with organisation. In detail these was as follow; (1) That four provincial associations be :establisiied and incorporated under tho Incorporated Societies' Act'covering the same territory as tho committees set up by tho 191!) annual conference; (2) that tho four provincial associations bo afliliu-ted tft the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association; (3) that all local associations bo affiliated to their provincial associations and withdrawn from direct membership of tho N.Z.It.S.At; (4) that tho provincial associations bo governed by provincial conferences and provincial executives set up thereby; (R) that the N.Z.11.5.A. be governed by an executive composed of two delegates from each provincial association, and such officers as such executive shall appoint; (li) that tho i.wo delegates of any provincial association shall have the power in the Now Zealand executive, by their combined votes, to veto any proposal submitted to such executive; (7) that a committee consisting of throe members of this conference be set up forthwith to prepare detailed resolutions giving full effect to tho above proposal, and to report to this conference.'' In moving tho remits, Mr. Watts said ho considered that there was, need of reorganisation of the present system of control, "'lie real issue before the conference, ho averred, was cue of friction. I'hero was a certain degree of temperamental local antagonism. As, oiiairinan of the Auckland Provincial Executive it had been brought horn* to him that there was an inveterate difference of opinion—difference of sympathy—as. to the policy of tho association, between the Auckland district and some other parts of New Zealand. That feeling could"' not be onditTed, and it was with a view of ending that situation that tho remits had been brought forward. In spite of tho honesty of tho sub-committed of the New Zealand Executive in its work, there was a real difficulty, and something should bo done to bring about a better system of organisation. The remit, which had tho effect of limiting the Dominion on matters on which the four provinces were unanimous, would tend very largely to an improvement of the spirit within tho association, and in many ways to the conduct of business. Mr. P. Browin (Rotorua) seconded the motion. Unity of Control. Mr. J. N, Bullard (Gisborne) contended that tho Auckland remit was only an enlargement of the present district organisation scheme. There vrere arguments against the present rpystjm. At the Christchurch conference (hero was' no word more mutilated than that of decentralisation. His contention was that they must have unity of control. The establishment of four provincial executives would not be autonomy, but would savour of autocracy. If it happened that any associations wanted to withdraw from tlie Dominion Association, then let them do so, for it would only mean that now and stronger associations would rise in their place. ' . ' Mr. T. Long (Auckland.! stressed the nocessitv for decentralisation, which, ho contended, would not bo fatal to the interests of the Returned Soldiers' Association. They had had quite enough experience of centralisation, which, being cumbersome, hod not been in tho best interests of the N.Z.R.S.A. Mr. D. Colquhoun (tluliedin) said he was in favour of decentralisation. Tho provincial .executivo should have more nower to Md the members of the U.S.A. together, and he considered the Auckland Association was moving on the right lines. There were faults in the Auckland proposals, and while accepting them in principle, he suggested that the remits in detail should be referred to the Legal and Organisation Committee with a view of a definite scheme being submitted. He moved an amendment m tliat direction. . Mr. W. E. Lendley (Christchurch) seconded the amendment. Mr. A. J. Cnrtayne (Wellington) said the present system did require alteration as tho executive eub-eommittec was not a bio to deal with all the work that came hefoi'e it. Unity must bo maintained, but ho failed to see why any two delegates of anv provincial association should have tho power in the New Zealand Executive, by their combined votes, to veto any proposal submitted to tho executive. Mr. J. H. Liiixford (Waikato) stated that tho present system had been more or lew of a failure, and ho favoured the establishment of small associafcons affiliated to provincial executives. He annealed for unity in the rank 3 of tho U.S.A., and pressed fnr the adoption of ' liV n r <iposal to rslnblish f° m ' .provincial councils. Tt had not been to him by tho Auckland A 'Koeiatfon, with whom'ho was closely associated, that n >iv i\">t]ln ] ■> n.fnr the purpose of pushing forward political action. Present Svstem Effective. Mr. W. Perry (Wo'linplnn) said he was bound to oppose tho remit?, for lie failed to se? their object. It seemed to him tiiat> the present organisation was effective. In provincial executives thero would bo more defects than existed at

present, when each local association controlled it's own iiiUurs, subject to the authority of the Aew Zealand Association. If the scheme proposed by Auckland were carried, tlio small associations would not have the opportunity of being adequately represented at the Mew Zealand conlereiiee, the delegates to which would be elected by the provincial executives.

Mr, E. F. Andrews (Auckland) supported the amendment. Tho smaller associations at present were not all represented at tho Dominion conference, as was evidenced by the number of proxies received from those associations asking for representation by other delegates. That was a sufficient reply, to Mr. l'erry's argumeut that under tile provincial system tho small associations would not receive adequate representation at the New Zealand conference.

Air. U. Mitchell organiser of the Wellington Provincial U.S.A., said lie had found that there w.%? a greai weakness in tho present organisation. Tlioro appeared to bo something, wrong with tno provincial committees which did not have sufficient jurisdiction over their provinces. Tho scheme proposed by Auckland had a weakness, as it created four distinct executives, "each with its. own policy. II that could be obviated he thought that decentralisation in somo way would be a good idea, and would give the provincial committees a good deal more power than they had at present. They should have some powor and jurisdiction over their provinces. But there should be one central policy dictated by New Zealand headquarters and carried out by the four provincial executives. Mr. C. W. Batten (vice-president) said tho present organisation was becoming unwieldy, and ('here was. need of improvement. However, lie objected to absolute decentralisation, for the reason that it would affect settlement of national problems. Mr. E. W. Inder (Auckland) objected to any delay in the settlement of the question of organisation, The scheme o( centralisation had been an absolute failure.

Mr. D. Smith (Gore) said tho associa. tions in Southland were absolutely satis, fled with the present system of con. tralisation, and ho had been instructed to vote n gainst any proposals to the contrary. Provincial associations could not. give effective and united voice on such important questions as land, repatriation, pensions, etc. Instead o£ provincial executives appointing organisers, the 1 tiller could be- appointed by New Zealand headquarters and allocated to various districts. Mr. V. Potter (Auckland) maintained that by the adoption of the Auckland remits a greater interest would be taken in tho affairs of the association- by returned soldiers. Unnecessary expenditure was created bv having one central headquarters in Wellington. The controversy between Auckland and headquarters would never have arisen had there been provincial executives in existence. Were the scheme proposed not adopted similar troubles to that which lie had mentioned would arise m the future. What the Records Proved. Mr. J. D. Harper (Wellington) supported the present system, which lie con. tended had not been a bitter failure. Tho records proved flint a larw num. ber of important questions had heen satisfactorily settled by the present executive. In the remits ro provision was made for a Dominion conference. That omission tended to crento doubt as to the object of the remits. All national questions should be settled by one orsanitation, and that was Dominion headquarters. Fe favoured decentralisation if th»y conld ft efficiency with it, but if there were ilifn"iillies ejiout the present scheme, let them wipe aw-av tho=c difficulties and support the present sytem. , M". W. Pollock (Wbnngnrei) s"-; 1 that in H'e Auckland province. 111 which he had been organising. hi"' found some foplipir in favour of tli?- sehemo at liresent indicated. 'Hie si associations we"e loyal to ..their nrovinc'al executive" pn<l that vtis an i 1 ,V| °nf" in favour of TT« H"->"i?ht it we* intend"'! that th"re f.l'ou'd ho a central cons'itution under which he suggested pr n "incin,! oTecuti vn s -wuld act. Tlk; p-opideni: (D". E. Boxerl said there had been "o failure under the oresent system. There was proof of that in the fact that tVe association's demands for r o lio»:wetive allowances had been granted. The winter of orgamsa--tion had exercised past executives to a very great extent. A good deal of tho trouble I hat had arisen over the matter of district organistaion had been due to faulty organisation legislation having been.passed at the Ciiristchurcli conference. Some measure of stronger organisalion must be carried out, but ho was not- convinced that the present pro* posals would meet that demand. 110 submitted that.the faults of tlio present system wore duo to insufficient time, insufficient support, and insufficient assistance being given to the Dominion Executive by tho various local associations, and that they were not duo to defects of tho organisation and constitution of lie N.Z.R.S.A. x Capain R, P. Jone3 (Dunedin) said ma association was against, the proposals, which would create additional expense, Ho recommended that. bsfwe the scheme was • adopted n Teforonclum of finnncial members of the N.Z.R.S.A. should be taken on the subject. As far as he could soe the present organisation system had not had a fair run. He gave notice of motion that a referendum of financial members should be taken. Mir. R-. Roid (Blenheim.) also contended that tlio present scheme hod not received a proper trial. ... , Mr. W. A. A. Ford (Hastings) romnrkod that although a. good deal had been said against tho present scheme, no facts had boon adduced showing where it had failed, "but proof hnd been given of whero it had boon successful. Concurrence in tho vi-sws of Mr. Harper was expressed by Mr. N. B. M Callum (Chrstchurc.il), Who -aid ho recognised that tho present system was ty 110 means perfect. However, he had no fault to find with the organisers, whoso work had been satisfactory. }Ie besought more assistance for the present executive, which was bearing very heavy burdens. Unless these burdens wero lightened they would be losing somo of the most valuable members of the executive. As it wins impossible to reach a de-c-'eion on the imatter on Saturday night, tho report of the committee having been brought down that evening, discussion was adjourned until yesterday morning. Far Deeper Issue. Mr. T, Miller (Taieri) moved yesterday morning that as Mr. Watts intended to introduce debatoablo matter, tho conference go into committee. Mr. Watts seconded tho motion, as up to tho present there wore certain aspects that, had been obscurod. _ Mr. LeadCcy strongly objected to the motion, beeauss i't would only give more room for talk by speakers who had already addressed the eonferenco._ Mr. Luxford supported the motion, as ho realised that what lie said the previous night during tho cours? of the debate was not correct. He had since learned that the whole issue before the conference was being faced quite wrongly. There was a far deeper 'ssue to consider wliich v could not bo discussed in open conference. Tho motion to go into committee was carried by a large majority. Committee Recommendations. In committee tho Auckland remits wero referred to tlio Organisation Committee for consideration, and any modifications that might be necessary,, and on resumption in open conference tho following report, was submitted by the committee:—"The committee recommends unanimously:-(l) That paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Auckland remit be adopted; (2) that paragraph 3 be altered to read: 'That all local associations be affiliated to a provincial organisation, but shall he entitled to separate and direct representation on tho council of the N.Z.R.S.A.. and be adopted in.this form: (3) that part 4 of the Aucklandremits be adopted; (4) -.lint paragraph 5 fb) b? altered to read as follows: 'That the NXK.S.A. be governed by a council of delegates from provincial and local associations, and by an execute c appointed in the same manner as heretofore; ft) that paragraph II be r'n!r|.-,l and the following suhs'Uutcil: "flic provincial shall work under a 111011 ennM-tntbi to be laid down by the Dominion council; (0 in "pferenc?to finance the follov.inf? bf adoptee: Hint each provincial association which is a member of 'this association shall remit bv monthly instalments to the general

I secretary such capitation af may be determined from timo to time by the council.' I Note: This committee 1= m opin- | ion that ihc proposed scheme ivill not costmore than the present organisation.] (7l That every local association shall have tho right of appeal to tho N.Z.R-S.A. against nnv decision of any provincial U.S.A. affecting it; (8) that the presidents of provincial associations shall be tx officio the rice-presidents of the N.Z.U.S.A.; 19) the committee further recommends that this report, if adopted, be referred back to the committee to be drafted in proper form with the addition of necessary detail." Mr. I'. H. Watts moved, and Mr. J. Luxford seconded, the adoption of tho le'"jlr. D. Smith moved an amendment to the effect that provincial associations should be subject to the control of the Dominion counoil, and that the conStitut'ion nhould provide accordingly. Mr. T. Miller seconded the amendment. , , . Mr. Watts pressed for the report Ming either accented or rejected as it stood. Ho did not desire that there should be any alteration in detail- in the wording of the report. The idea was to make the operation of the provincial associations in all respects subject to the will of tho Dominion, conference. It was not intended that so long as a provincial'association acted in accordance with the requirements of conference, that _it should be subject to any unnecessary interference from outside. After further discussion, it was decided to add the words of the amendment t» clause 5 of tho report, wlncn was adopted. The report was then referred back to the committee, and Mr. Siovwriglit moved that it bo a recommendation to the committee to make it. mandatory on local associations to become affiliated with the provincial associations to which they belong. 1 It being pointed out that this matter could come up again at a later stage, Mr. Sievwright's motion was lost..