SOLDIERS AND POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 8

SOLDIERS AND POLITICS

DEBATE BY N.Z.R.S;A

AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION

Whether the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association should take part in polities was the topic discussed at last night's sitting of the conference of the association. The Christchurch Association submitted the following remit:—"That this conference is of the opinion that the words 'non-political' should be deleted from tho constitution;" llr. E. W. Leadley (Christchurch), in moving tho remit, etuteo. that he was absolutely opposed to party polities. The only delegates who should vote against the remit wero those who were absolutely opposed to any amendment of the constitution. 110 did not favour tho putting of questions to candidates for Parliament. because that amounted to political action. The Christchurch Association was of tho opinion that political . action of some kind should be taken to secure their lrights, but they were against party politics. Mr. J. Pethorick (Christchurch) seconded tho motion. Tho association had lieen satisfied with tho gratuities they lecoivod. Returned soldiers should be in tho position of being able to get as much as . they could get as a body, but by taking part in politics the association would run a risk of losing its most precious rights. Individually, returned Koldiers could take part in politics, and they should be content to let tho matter rest there. An Amendment. Mr. R. B. ,Bell (Wairoa) moved the following amendment:—"Tnat tho following words be added: 'and non-party politics, in that it shall not, except by the submission of questions and the publication of answers thereto, influence, or eeek to influence, the views of its members regarding any candidate for public office, or any political or municipal party.'" Some two months ago the executive sub-committee had been asked if there was any objection to putting questions to Parliamentary candidates , and publishing tho answors thereto, provided no attempt w,as made to influence the views of members by issuing directions as the result of tho answers. The eub-committeo had been in a dilemma on the point, and preferred to have the Inatter settled by conference. " Mr. J. H. Luxford (Waikato) hero laiseti' a point of order. Ho submitted that the amendment was not in ordet fis it was a direct negative. ' The amendment was ruled out of order''by Mr. N. B. M'Callum (Christchurch). who was in tho chair temporarily'during tho absenco of Dr. Boxer. "Mr; E. W. Inder (Auckland) then moved an amendment that the word "non" before tho word "political in the constitution bo deleted. By becoming political. ' the association could make demands which it considered it was entitled to make. As citizens, tho returned soldiers should take their part in myic duties. They could do that politically by means of their excellent organisation. If the association could not at| present jjut candidates into Parliament then it should prepare to elect .them in years to come. There was no better organisation in the • Dominion than the R.S.A. that could take upon itself tho educating of the people of tho eountrv. It had been said at the Christchurch oonferenco that the returned soldiers were not fitted to take part in politics. ' ( 'Mr. R. Reid (Blenheim): I said so, and I still say it. Continuing, Mr. Inder said that the present politicians were voting men once, and thero was no member of the conference who was not as well fitted to take his seat in Parliament as any present member of the llouse L If the members of tho R.S.A. were good enough to fight for their country, they were also ' Rood enough to have some say in its administration. Tho only way they couid havo that say was . by taking part in uolitics. Mr. G. W. Ward nip (Woodville) seconded the amendment pro forma. If there was a split in the association, he said, it would' be impossible for them to ..carry on . any longer.. In his association there wero men of different political opinions, and how could thoy be expected to work together? A voice: Abolish tho parties. Where Would ths R.S.A. Sit? Mr. H. M. Tatisley (Dannevirke) wanted to know on which side of the House the R.S.A. would sit. Mr. Inder: "If tno R.S.A. went into politics therb would be only one party Jn the House." (Laughter.) He preferred that the R.S.A. should bo a party on its own—preferably a "New Zealand" or "National" Party. In years to como ho felt sure the R.S.A. would be the only party in tho House. Mr. I'ansley said that at the coming elections ■ there ;would be a religious issuo — Voices: No religious discussion! The president ruled that any mention of religion was out of order. Mr. Tansley added that his.association was totally against taking any part in politics. Mr. V. Potter (Auckland) said it was hot desired that the R.S.A. should put up candidates for Parliament, but tliat questions should bo submitted to candidates on important issues. Unless they had- political action now tho association would be as dead in ten years' tiirio as'tho South African Returned Soldiers' Association. The asjociation should be able to enforce candidates for Parliament •' to : agree to support tho association's views on important matters. If there were not enough brains in the U.S.A. to 'formulate a political platform then i(i would bo a sad look out for the association. After tho discussion had continued a little longer, Mr. C. W. Batten askedi whether it was a fact that tho amendment moved by Mr. Bell was out of order. If it was not, would tho conference havo an opportunity of considering it at'a later stage? The conference tuen adjourned while tho point was considered. After resumption, Dr. Boxer, who had again taken l.lie chair, said lie had decided to uphold the ruling of Mr. M'C'al. lum, but he considered the following notice of amendment by Mr. A. B. SievWright (Wellington) was in order:—"The Association shall bo lion-sectarian nnd non-political ns regards parties' in tho State, but in so far as all questions pertaining directly to soldiers' interests may be political, then so far and 110 farther, shall tho U.S.A. be political." Dr. Boxer added that he felt he must uphold tho previous chairman's ruling, hut his own personal opinion was I hat Mr. Bell'samendment was in order. After a long interruption tho debato proceeded on the amendment proposed by Mr. Indor. "In the Melting Pot." • Mr. D. Smith (Gore) said, ho was fgainst the association taking part in uuiy form of political action. Polities /covered a variety of matters, and that 'Jieing so, where would the asociaton .feet to if it took part in politics? How jiiciuld the association decide 011 a com■jifpn policy 011 those diverse subjects? ■Did it take part in politics, where would ■fiw; returned soldiers be? * A voice: In tlnl melting-pot! Mr. Smith: "Thoy would be moro than that, they would bo, meltod." Thero nrem men of various shades of opinion in 'tlio U.S.A.—for instance, there wero capitalists. Voices: Oh, where arc they? Continuing, Mr. Smith snid it was .JlfC'P.We of the reasons he had mentioned that it would be folly for the ussociation to go into pdiitiw, foT it would fon bo n<Kt asunder and burst up as if 5,00(1,000 hn,d descended amongst the memtjiiirs.'ii Instead of forming a polit'eal the association should go '"baldheaded" for the men in Parliament and tWilf>9l thorn to bring down definite poli-'t-lccfMon such questions a* land settlefftisA'P, otc. How could the association n definite/opinion 011 such i»nt•ft?W''ns State mail forvicw, the Bible•lfiifibhncSs. the liquor traffic, the "10liShW" policy, otc? The tiling was abimpossible. .(Applause.) S s M'r. W. Perry (Wellington) was opposed to the association degenerating into supporting any political party. If it did I U .would split jnto a thousand fragments, j

and each section would bo like a voiM crying in the wilderness, for they would not havo the support of the public. If I lie association took on politics it would place itself in a camp opposito to tho opinions of the rest of tho community, and would do itself a lot harm. Mr. T. Long (Auckland) said the tiimo had gone past when tho association should go along and ask Minsters of the Crown for what they wanted. Trust to Public Opinion. Mr. J. D. Harper (Wellington) Bala that he trusted to public opinion to support the R.S.A. in its demands. If the public favoured the views of tho association it would indicate its support at tho ballot-box. If they could'bring {low 11 a pUtt'onm suitable to every member of the association then lie favoured ths motion, but i£ thero was one dissentient then ho was against taking part in politics. Thero were 6omc interests favourable to the existence of hhe .v'sociation, and there wero other interests which wanted it split up. At .vresem. there were returned soldiers in Parliament, but unless the association could obtain strong enough representation to seouro tho balance of power in the Houso then it would do 110 good. 'JWie association had already achieved success in a number of the demands it had made. Mr. E. F. Andrews Auckland) contended that by taking part in politics the returned soldiers would be able to make New Zealand "Clod's Own Country." llchad been formerly opposed to political action, but he became a convert when the demands of tilio returned soldiers were "turned down." The demand for retrospective allowances had only been granted because an election was near at hand. Unless _■ tho returned soldiers took part in politics they would be false to their broken comrades. Mr. J. M'lvenzio (Wairarapa) said that if the association took part in politics ho would not support returned soldier candidates unless he was sure 'ohev were standing in the intcresls of tho country. "The Badge of Honour." Mr. D. Colquhoun (Dunedin) said he was anxious that the N.Z..S.A. badge should remain 'tho "badge of honour"' and not become the badge of any political party. His association opposed political action. In answer to a question, tho president said that if tho association adopted a political policy it was his opinion that civil servants would havo to resign from the association. Mr. A. J. Cowles (Wairarapa) said he failed to see how all the R.S.A. members could be brought under one political banner. Mr. W. A. A. Ford (Hastings) opposed political action 011 tilie ground that it was advocated by only a section of the R.S.A. Mr. li. B. Bell (Wairoa) said ho sup-' ported tho views expressed by Mr. Perry and others who opposed political action Mr. J. 11. Luxtord (Waikato) said if they wero going to take part in politics I hey must tako a clear cut party issue, and not trust to tho obsoleto method of putting questions to candidates, ns, in tho great majority of instances, candidates would always answer questions in the affirmative. He trusted that th>. asMfiiition would dccido to enter into the political arena. 'A number of other speakers having contributed to tho debate, tho amondment m6ved by Mr. Inder was put to tho inference at 12.15 a.m., and a division was taken, tho amendment being lost by 56 votes to 27. Discussion then took place on I|liq amendment proposed by Mr. Sievwright. In moving tlio amendment, Mr. Sievwright contended that tho effect would bo to leavo members a choice to voto in any direction they desired. The object of the amendment was to get tho signed statement? of candidates for Parliament as to their attitude on matters in. which returned soldiers wore vitally \nte res ted Mr. J. D. Harper (Wellington) seconded the amendment, in order that it might be discussed. He was opposed to taking part in politics, but tlio amendment would' give candidates an opportunity of stating tlicV views. Mr. R. B. Bell (Wairoa) gave notico to move tho amendment, which, had been previously ruled out. of order. Tho president stated that at that etnge ho would Accept the amendment. Mr. Sievwright's amendment was lost by a largo majority, and Mr. Bell mo\*«l his amendment, which was carried by 50 votes to 36. At this stago Mr. T. long (Auckland) moved a further amendment: "That all tho words after the words 'non-party uclitir-il' in the draft constitution be deleted." Mr. Long's amendment was lost, nnd tho motion moved by Mr. Lcadley with the addition of the amendment moved' by Mr. Bell was carried. The conference adjourned at 1.50 a.m.