RETURNED SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 9

RETURNED SOLDIERS

DIFFERENCE OVER ORGANISATION FUNDS

AUCKLAND BRANCH AND THE

EXECUTIVE.

(st TEtEGBAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 15th August.

Secession from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association by the Auckland branch is regarded \by many Auckland members as inevitable. A statement in reply to the criticisms of the National Executive was issued this morning by the Auckland Association.

In explaining the attitude of the Auckland executive, Mr. F. Andrews remarked that on the occasion of the last Dominion conference of associations, the New Zealand executive brought down a scheme by which headquarters would control the provincial organisers, and also the organising fund. A. sub-com-mittee was set up, which propounded a proposal for the .existing scheme, giving provincial committees control of the organiser's and of the .funds for organising work. The scheme stipulated that 'the local associations ehould pay a capitation fee of 2s to headquarters, and 2s to the provincial committee-. The proposal was approved by a large majority of the conference, although the president of the New Zealand Association and several _iembers of the present Dominion executive _ fought very bitterly against it, declaring when it was carried that it would be a failure. Subsequently, it was pointed out that a dual capitation fund would involve two returns from each association, and that .a simpler method would be to remit the '4s to headquarters so that the funds could bo delivered to the different provincial organisations to which they were attached. The conference agreed to' this modification. Immediately after the conference, _ the . Auckland Association appointed its organiser, and wont to considerable expense and trouble in mapping_ out the district, and in due couree applied to the Dominion executive for funds. At. that time about £600 was due. The association received no reply to its telegrams and letters until after the Dominion executive had met, and then they were informed that the Dominion executive claimed control over the funds. - The executive intimated that a certain amount was being placed in the bank to the credit of the Auckland provincial district, and that it was nominating certain members of the provincial committee to operatei on the fund, but that the funds would remain the property of the executive. The executive also claimed the right to stop payment at any time and place. Naturally, the Auckland provincial committee objected to this course as being absolutely contrary to the intention and decision of the conference, and regarded the attitude of the executive as an endeavour to force the branches to accept tho scheme it had unsuccessfully brought before the conference. Already, expenses to the amount of well over £100 had been incurred in ' connection with the organisation scheme) and a member of the association had had to find this money privately, as there were no funds available.

"Since the conference," continued Mr. Andrews, "headquarters has tried every means in its power to hamper tho scheme of provincial organisation." Moreover, its intention was revealed by a resolution passed at an executive meeting since_ the conference to the effect that,. subject to notification and reasons, being sent to the branch association, tho decisions of' the conference might be modified, if •in its opinion such modifications were vital and immediately necessary in view of new conditions, having arisen.

With regard to political action, Mr. Andrews remarked that there was certainly an impressiomamongst Auckland members that' the. determined efforts made by headquarters to provent the organising scheme being carried but in the Auckland province were the result of the attitude of the local association towards political action, and that the central executive did not wish the Auckland Association to become any stronger than at present. Already the Auckland province represented 40 per cent, of the total membership of the Dominion. It should be understood, however, that, the Auckland organiser had received definite instructions* that he was not to push political action in connection with his duties. It was certainly the intention of the Auckland Association to battle for political action, but the cost of so doing would be defrayed from the local association's funds. The organisation fund would not be used for that purpose. In conclusion, Mr. Andrews pointed out that the strongest opponents of political action had been members holding appointments under the Government, and that Civil Servants were represented strongly on the Dominion executive.