NO PART IN POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 186, 4 May 1933, Page 8

NO PART IN POLITICS

Returned Soldiers’ Decision WELLINGTON ATTITUDE The executive of the 'Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association last night reaffirmed the decision of the New Zealand association to refrain from political action. The subject was introduced by Rev. Bramwell Scott, who said the executive should not hesitate to declare its attitude on this question. They all remembered how the “Diggers'” during the war had said that when they returned they would show the people of the Dominion how the country should be run, and no doubt they could have done so had they stood together after their return. It was in the interests of returned men that the association should take no part in politics, continued Mr. Scott. Immediately politics were introduced the R.S.A, would be rent from top to bottom. When the present troublous days were over, the returned men would be the first to thank the association for the stand it was taking in the matter. He moved: “That the executive of tho Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association reaffirms the decision of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association to refrain from any political action.” The motion was seconded by Golonel R. S. McQuarrie. Mr. W. L. Comrie said he could not 'see how they could overlook the stand which had been taken at the last Dominion conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. At that gathering, the president, Mr. W. Perry, had declared that all Governments were there to be shot at. Mr. F. McDonald: We are political, but not party political. The president, Colonel A. Cowles, said the association, had no politics and no religion; all that it, cared was that a man was a returned soldier. The motion to keep clear of politics was carried unanimously.