RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10284, 20 May 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS

REORGANISATION OF ASSOCIATION ON DISTRICT BASIS. The sub-committee appointed by the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association to consider the question of the reorganisation of tho association, has presented its report, which is to be included in the remits to be discussod at the annual conference in Christchurch. The main reasons which, in their opinion, mako a change in the system of organisation desirable are stated by the committee as under: — 1. The system of election did not ensure that the executive would be representative of tho Dominion areas. 2. There was not sufficient organised secretarial effort expended in the smaller associations.

It is therefore suggested: (a) That the number of headquarters executive be increased from nine members to 14 (apart from office-bearers), (b) That for the ensuing year four organising secretaries be appointed, one for each military district. 1. In order to meet objeotlon (1) I above, it is suggested that the officebearers of the association as' follows, be elected by conference directly as heretofore: President, four vice-presi-dents (one from each military district), treasurer (resident in Wellington). It is suggested that the members of the executive, 14 in number, be electa ed as follows: From Auckland district three, from Wellington district five, from Canterbury district three, from Otago district three. It is sugested that members be nominated to conference after consultation by the representatives of each military district separately, and be then, elected by the conference. In order to meet objection (2) above, it is suggsted: (a) That conference shall empower the executive to appoint and pay four organising secretaries, one for each district, whoso whole time shall be given to district organisation, (b) That in order to act (in effect) as a provincial executive the members of executive and the vice-president representing any one district be constituted by executive as .their commissioners in that district. With the vicepresident as chairman they shall—1. Control the activities of the organising secretary appointed to that district.

2. Report to headquarters as; to the work done by the organising secretary. 3. Act generally as a provincial cutive in effect if not in name.

A larger scheme was discussed involving four separate provincial executives complete in all administrative details, but the difficulties surrounding the appointment of the members' of these,- together with the great expense involved, were so many that the subcommittee felt it was undesirable, and also, that this being the ,most critical time of tho association's history it was not wise to risk an exohange of horses in the middle of the stream. It was unanimously felt that; the association must bo prepared to make a special effort and spend money to obtain its objects during the present year. Without having considered the financial question exhaustively, the committee is of opinion that the association must face an expenditure of about £750 for each district.

It is pointed out that the representation upon the executive so far as Wellington military district' is concerned enables the Wellington representatives on the executive to constitute the executive sub-committee. Further, this scheme as submitted, will cause the least possible alteration to the present' constitution of headquarters, which in itself is a strong recommendation. For the purpose of this scheme (states ' the sub-committee) it is advisable that the present deb'mitation of military districts apply with the exoeption that Nelson and Marlborough (in the Canterbury .district) be considered as in the Wellington district for administrative purposes. Though "for practical purposes the four organising secretaries would be controlled by the local district commissioners, it is considered advisable that they shoNild be under the final control of the executive, since situations might arise in Which headquarters considered it advisable to send extra help to a district for some emergencies. The organising secretaries should attend ejich executive meeting, not as members, but as officials of the association, and so be able to lay provincial matters directly before Executive. In the opinion of this sub-com-mittee, the extra expense incurred will bo more than eounterbsflanced by increased membership, and more prompt returns fom local associations.-