Controversy Over U.N. Assn. Meeting Held Healthy

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30451, 27 May 1964, Page 18

Controversy Over U.N. Assn. Meeting Held Healthy

The meeting of the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association of New Zealand to discuss the situation in South-east Asia, at which criticism of a member of Parliament had aroused public controversy, had been held in pursuance of a directive from the Dominion council of the association, the Christchurch branch council said in a statement issued last evening.

The branch council, after it had held a meeting to discuss the controversy, issued the following statement:— “The council of the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association of New Zealand has taken action on a project of the World Federation on United Nations Associations to direct efforts to the informing of public opinion for an. early agreement on general and com-

plete disarmament under effective international control.

“The world organisation further directed its national affiliations to exercise their influence upon their respective governments for a speedy solution to all urgent international problems in the spirit of the United Nations Charter.

“To advance this project, the branch authorised Mr L.

| F. J. Ross to arrange for dis- , cussions seeking a consensus |of opinion on these and closely related issues, espcci- ! ally some remits to the annual conference of the New Zealand United Nations Association which were referred back to branches for further clarification. These remits included General de Gaulle's proposal for neutralisation of South-east Asia and the Indonesia-Malaysia dispute. “Notice of the first meeting was sent to all 220 members and affiliates of the branch. This meeting was well reported in The Press,’ including some emphasis on a brief digression from the main course of the discussion involving pointed criticism of a member of Parliament.

“This has led to a public controversy which we consider to be healthy, and also to some personal exchanges which do not necessarily contribute to the main objective of the project. ‘This programme will continue with the expectation that principles rather than personalities will prevail,” the statement concluded.

In reply to questions, the president of the Christchurch branch (Mr H. G. Kilpatrick) said that only one resignation had been received since the controversy arose. Nine new members had since joined. The membership of approximately 220 was more than the branch had two years ago.

Cubmaster Training.— Nineteen cubmasters from Christchurch, Culverden and Darfield attended a training course at Southbridge last week-end. They were trained by Mr W. A. Clark, assistant area commissioner, Miss C. Hayward, and Mrs R. Goulden, district cubmasters.