RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 25, 24 October 1919, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ORGANISATION QUESTION

THE DEADLOCK ENDED

FEELING REGARDING AUCKLAND

Tho special conference of the Now Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association resumed its deliberations at the Dominion Farmers' Institute yesterday, Mr. N. B. M'Callum (vice-president) occupying (Ho chair, in tho unavoidable absence of Dr, Upon tho motion of Mr. J?. B. Bell (Wairoa), seconded by Mr. E. W. Inder (Auckland) it was decided to. go into committee. In speaking to tho motion to go into committee Mr. '].'. Long (Auckland) said that during Wednesday's debate there appeared to be a feeling that Auckland was concerned in an attempt at wilful obstruction. That inference was to bo drawn from the Press i-epurts. Auckland delegates wero desirous of avoiding the position which was responsible for the diin-enco between headquarters and AutKland. It was agreed that the machinery was faulty. Ho did not desire to SSO the association in the same position as exiVa-d after the last conference. There was no question of obstruction at all. Auckland's desiro v,-,ui that delegates should avoid getting into deep water again through argument on the constitution that was passed. Delegates would now realise that there wero points in tho proposed constitution that could not bo agreed to. Mr. Long's explanation was accepted, and deliberations proceeded in committee. A general committee, divided into tho sub-committees named, was set up to go into the questions affecting the new constitution:—Organisation: Messrs. 11. W. Inder (Aiiddaad), T. Long (Auckland), J. H. Harper (Wellington), and It. li. Bell (Wairoa); Boundaries: Messrs. D. Coiquhoun (Dunedin), W. Pollock (Auckland), W. Crowes (Ashburton), and li. Mitchell (Balclutha); Bndges and Finance: Messrs. B. F. Andrews (Auckland), N. A. Caing (Kawa Kawa), N. 3S. M'Callum (Christelmrch), and B. J. F. Aldrich (treasurer). There being a quorum present, tho conference resumed in open meeting at 2.30 p.m., and further consideration was given to tho question ot the draft constitution.

Mr. K, B. Bell (Wairoa) reported that at the meeting of the Advisory Council held in the morning a unanimous decision had been nrrived at, and it was 'asked that conference 'would favourably receive that decision. It was drared that thero should be a. sound working basis up till tho tima when tho next conference- sat. It was proper that it should be placed on record that the inonibers of the committee considered it would bo no bieuch of faith on the part ot any member association to bring up motions for radical alterations to tho constitution at tho May conference. Mr. Bell moved that the preamble of tho draft constitution, and clauses 1 to 15 should bo adopted. Mr. J. Petheriek (Christchurch): I would stress the point that thoso clauses have- already been passed in full conference.

Mr. Bell: "Tho point is, we want to pass the wholo of these rules in one motion." Tho speaker- then detailed tho effect of the various clauses of tho scheme. No fundamental principles me affected, and what ho was dealing with was purely a matter of machinery. Capitation Fees, Mr. R. J. I'. Aldrich (treasurer), in explaining the capitation clauses, said that it was proposed to carry on tho present system until April 1, 1920—the end of thu financial year. It was recommended that for new members of tho current year the capitation to headquarters should be 3a, per member, and that no portion of that sum should bo payablo to provincial districts, or by way of payment of organising fees. Tor Ibe present half-year ss. was being collected, and to.- thri forthcoming period it was proposed to collect 10s. as before. Of that ss. tho committco recommended that tho capitation to headquarters should bo ils. per member, and tho other 10.5, would bo used as formerly. It was recommended that renewals should have the greatest attention of local associations. At.tho present time thero wero a tremendous number of local associations who had not paid their renewals or their capitation, fees according to tho number of badgfci that had been supplied to them. It *u requested that member associations would jrivo instructions to their district organisers to mako that a special point when visiting the local associations. With regard to badges it was recommouded that these bo deemed the property of fly; New Zealand Heturned Soldiers' Association, and that member assuoialions should do all in their power to secure the return to the Now Zealand Association of tho badge of any individual when he ceased to be a member of the local association. In tho event of any local association withdrawing from affiliation it should circularise all of its members calling upon them to return the badge of tho association, and the badges would be. forthwith returned to tho New Zealand Association. Continuing, Mr. 801 l said that tho Boundaries Committee recommended that five member associations be established. There would be as follow:—(1) Auckland as at present; (2) Wellington as at present, less Gisborno; (3) Gisborne; (4) Canterbury; (5) Otago The new member association would be Gisborne, and this would include the Gisborne Association and all local associations in tho district. Ho wished to impress on members that the report of the committee was unanimous, and it was considered tho best thing passible under the circumstances. The 1 committee did not contend that the scheme was in any way perfect; but it was the best that could bo done at the moment. Ho pointed out that if so desired the constitution could bo amended at the next annual conference in May next. Ho had pleasure in moving the adoption of tho Teport. (Applause.) Mr. 13. W. Inder (Auckland) seconded the motion, and remarked that it was tho best possible scheme under the conditions under which they were working. Provision had been made for Gisborne's representation on the executive. Mr. W. E. lendley (Christchurch) also applauded the committee for its work, but ho raised a question regarding the capitation fee. He would like it to bo made clear as to what proportion of this amount wont to headquarters and what to organisation, The chairman replied that no portion of that amount went to organisation. The increased capitation was mado in order to overcome the present unfortunate position. Mr. E. ]?. Andrews (Auckland) further explained tho position, and remarked that the committee hod given the matter very full consideration. It was a di(Jicult point, lint it. was recognised that headquarters must have the necessary finances in order to carry on, and this amount was to enable it to do j>\> for tho unexpired portion- of tho year. It was recognised that tho smaller associations were having a very hard timo to get along, and it was duo to the larger associations to help headquarters, and bv so doing help the smaller associations. lie submitted that it would be muney well spent. (Applause.) Mr. Aldrich pointed out that the 3s. would only take effect from October J, and that the wholo financial position would be readjusted next year. .Mr. Andrews mentioned that conference had authorised the borrowing of ,£SOO by menus nf debentures, and lie ncommended the larger associations lo take tlu'in up us a sound investment. The motion was carried.