DISLOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21081, 19 April 1932, Page 9

DISLOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS

PARTICIPATION BY EX-SERVICEMEN STRONG DISAPPROVAL BY ASSOCIATION Strong disapproval of returned soldiers taking part in demonstrations contrary to law and order was unanimously expressed at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers', Association last night. _ , << No ex-serviceman is admitted to membership of our association unless ha is of good character,” said the retiring president (Mr W. F. Forrester). “The N.Z.R.S.A. is a branch of the British, Empire Service League, and one of the main planks of the platform, of both the B.E.S.L. and N.Z.R.S.A. is loyalty, to King and Empire. Certain ex-ser-vicemen wearing the badge of this association have on occasions recently taken part in disloyal demonstrations,; where others have been incited to disorder and where the Red Mag ' has been sung. Our association has always upheld and will, I hope, always uphold law and order, and does not wish to retain as a member any ex-service-man who forfeits his right to be called a loyal and decent citizen.” A discussion was opened by Mr E. MGirvan, who said that he had obtained work at Chisholm Park and pn other relief jobs. The matter had given him much concern, and, so as to obtain tko opinion of members, he moved— iliac the unemployed returned, soldiers resolve to take no part whatsoever in any form of demonstration which is liable to lead to disorder; and, furthermore, they consider that if _ any returned men have taken part in any these demonstrations they should not receive any further work or assistance from tbe Dunedin R.S.A. We as an' association stand for loyalty to King and Empire.” The motion was seconded by 3ir Mawhinney, who said it was a hit late for them to squeal now, but they should not have allowed a political party to take charge of the unemployed movement. A certain political party was using the unemployed workers for its own interests. He would like to see a new unemployed workers’ movement started to cut the ground away from these fellows.” There were four or five loyal citizens to every disloyal man among the unemployed. Mr T. Satterthwaite said the motion would go too far. It would debar men' who were slaves for the movement from getting work. The members had to be; tactful and human. He moved as an' amendment —“ That this annual general, meeting of members of the Dunedin: R.S.A. reaffirms its loyalty to King and' Empire, and exhorts its members who are, for the time being unemployed, to' refrain from taking part m any demon, stration contrary to law and Order. Mr P. S. Anderson (the president)] said the executive could not ignore the terms of the motion if it were car. E. Calder seconded the amend* ITl Mr' Girvan withdrew his motion,amid applause. Mr Anderson: Loyalty to the King and Empire is at the root of our con* stitution. If it -Were not, you can taka it from me as definite that the men who are on the executive would not stand. . , The amendment was carried unanimously. Mr H. L. Paterson said that mem* hers of the association should remain loyal. If any members were disloyal action should be .taken by-the incoming executive. * ... The President: You can take it ton granted that the incoming executive will watch that matter closely,-