THE R.S.A.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1921, Page 3

THE R.S.A.

WELLINGTON DISTRICT CONFERENCE.

TARANAJKI DELEGATES ATTEND.

Palmerston N., May 1. The "Wellington District Conference of the R.S.A. was opened at 10 a.m. today, when the following voting members were present amongst: A. E. Symes (Waverley), M. C. Crighton (South Taranaki), E. H. Young (Stratford), H. E. Brabant (North Taranaki), Colonel Weston (New Plymouth). In addition, Messrs. H. E. Burdekin and C. Gower (Hawera), who are members of the District Committee, but who have not been appointed delegates to the conference, were present, Mr. B. J. Jacobs (chairman of the District Committee) presided. The chairman welcomed the delegates and explained that owing to a division of opinion amongst members of the District Executive regarding the whole question of the district scheme, it had been decided not to bring down a written report on the years working. The question of retention, amendment, or abolition of the district scheme would come forward for discussion in the terms of the first remit to be considered. Mr. Burdekin (district vice-chairman) endorsed the chairman’s remarks, and the action of the executive in not bringing down a report was unanimously approved. The district treasurer (Mr. Cook) moVed and Mr. Young seconded the motion for the adoption of the annual bal-ance-sheet, which showed a debit balance on the year’s working of £3l. The motion was carried.

Matters relative to headquarters’ administratipn were discussed at length in committee, but the resolution passed was not reported when the Press were readmitted. . The chairman introduced the subject of the executive’s demand for a refund of -?d per.member for whom capitation was revived for the year 1919-20, and aggregating £lO7 3s. He moved that the levy be not paid. Mr. Burdekin seconded the motion. Mr. Bell and Dr. Boxer moved an amendment: “That this conference asks the forthcoming New Zealand Conference to review the question of the levy, and if the claim is there endorsed, this district agrees to assume liability.” After discussion, the amendment was lost and the motion carried.

On behalf of Wellington City, Messrs. Seyrpour and Perry moved: “That this District Conference request the Dominion Conference to abolish the present district scheme.” After a discussion lasting an hour and a half, and to which nearly all the. delegates present contributed, the motion was declared lost by 18 votes to 14, 11 of the latter being cast by Wellington Citj’ delegates. The discussion clearly showed that almost all associations in the district, apart from the city association, were strongly in favor of the district scheme as now in operation. On resuming at 2.15 p.m., a motion was passed giving the district’s delegates to the New Zealand Conference (which delegates will be elected fo*night and will number 19 in all) freedom of action in respect of both voting and speech. It was made clear, however, that oil. all larger questions discussed by the District Conference that day the 10 delegates (carrying 28 votes in all) would vote as one man.