SOLDIERS AT VARIANCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17223, 13 August 1921, Page 10

SOLDIERS AT VARIANCE.

AZTAIBS OP, AUCKIiAND E.B.A. Some straight, talking was indulgad in at Wednesday evening's meeting of the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association in regard to the spirit of dissension that has been in evidence among the members of that committee for some time. The subject was raised in a letter from Mr C. J. Lovcgrove, who tendered his resignation as a member of the committee. He stated that he felt that the " v association at present was not justifying its existence. All the work which it was now able to do could easily be done by the Patriotic Association, the personnel of which consisted of gentlemen of impartial conaiderationsand unbiased dv prejudices of the various factions found in the Returned Soldiers' Association. He Btated that the spirit of comradeisiiip and brotherhood appeared to have disappeared, and u'tiimed that many of the members of the association seemed to be malcontents who did not realise that they stiH owed a duty to the State, and rondo one continuous cry for the rectification of wrongs which they believed themselves to be victims. Most of the members who attended general meetings seemed to be grievously at fault in tibia respect. These meetings proposed and carribd resolutions which were not flattering to the instincts by which the majority of the members erf the N.Z.E.F. had been actuated in' offering their services in the war. He referred particularly to a resolution carried at the last general meeting objecting to part of tne interest accruing from the canteen fund being devoted to naval propaganda. He alluded to the introduction of ontsido interests into the affairs of the association by fats tions on the executive.

Mr 6. R. Hutchinson, who recently returned to the executive in the rapacity of a vice-president, _ referred to serine acrimonious discussion that had token place earlier in the meeting over other matters, and said that this tort of thing was a disgrace. insinuations, Sarcasm, and interjection* would 'prevent them achieving anything, and in the circumstances lie, was rather surprised that Mr E. W. Jndw had consented to again _be nominated for the position of president. Mr C. X. Hamlin said the wrangling had been disgraceful, and ho had some* times felt in dined to do what Mr Lov»* grove had done. Mr J. Reid. a now member, urged to* sinking of differences. "Let as na*s harmony," he said. "Let as cut oat the 'ins and outs' spirit and etand shoulder to shoulder. Mr E. F. Andrews moved tnat Mr 'Lovegrove be a-sked to reconsider bis position. He believed that that mem* "ber had stood for election like the others had done with tho idea of reforming the whole thing. To-day ho was a disappointed.man. They were all disappointed. They hod not what they Bought. He moved in too direction indicated because ne Delwroo that Mr Lovegrove was thoroughly sincere. ' Mr Andrews's motion waa earned.