Members’ kin not yet able to join R.S.A.

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 2

Members’ kin not yet able to join R.S.A.

PA Wellington The Returned Services’ Association may consider giving limited membership to the sons and daughters of war veterans.

A remit from the Matamata R.S.A. proposing that such persons be made eligible for the limited ‘‘service” membership, introduced for certain other former servicemen two years ago, was defeated yesterday at the R.S.A’s Dominion Council meeting. But delegates passed a motion that the matter be referred to the Dominion executive’s committee for consideration and that the committee submit proposals to the council next year. Later yesterday the R.S.A. relaxed its rules to allow qualified Territorial Force volunteers, who are still serving, to join as “service” members.

The rules for the limited "service” membership previously excluded those still serving with the Territorial Force. The meeting however, re-

jected proposals by the Upper Hutt and Wellington branches to allow non-re-turned servicemen to become limited members of the R.S.A. without first joining the Homeservicemen’s Association.

The Wellington R.S.A. said that most of those eligible for membership under the limited “service member” rules introduced two years ago, did not wish to join the R.S.A. and that the requirement meant the loss of much potential membership. But R.S.A. representatives said the clause was “of immense help” and that if it was dropped the loss of membership would be “a severe blow.” The Wellington and Upper Hutt remits proposing the change were defeated Mr W. D. Leuchars was re-elected dominion president of the association at the final session of the meeting. Also re-elected were Messrs A. R. Johnston, as Dominion vice-president, and W. W. Brackenridge, as Dominion treasurer.