R.S.A. AND POLITICS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 24 May 1919, Page 5

R.S.A. AND POLITICS

—- —♦ I OFFICIAL COMMENT. ( In a leading article based on an effort that is being made in Wellington to form a Returned Soldiers' Political Association, Quick March (official paper of the N.Z.R.S.A.) remarks: "Returned men should be on guard against being drawn into any movements by which political schemers may be hoping to benefit themselves to the detriment of the R.S.A. No person worthy of the respect of returned soldiers _ would promote such political organisation just before the Dominion Conference of the N.Z.R.S.A. It is well known that 'political action' is one of the most important subjects on the order paper. This fact has been published repeatedly in the daily press throughout the two islands. Therefore, it seems that the political promoter in Wellington hopes to influence returned soldiers before their delegates go to the conference. "As 'Quick March' explained two months ago, nothing can be gained—but much can be lost—by wild helterskelters in the political field- The whole matter will be thoroughly discussed at the conference, in which returned soldiers' associations of all districts will be able to voice their opinions through their delegates. "Maintenance of unity is the most important responsibilty of the conference. It is a truism, which needs no elaboration of argument, that the unity necessary to ensure justice for returned | soldiers and their dependants will disappear if the R.S.A becomes a political body in the sense in which the word ! 'political' is commonly understood in this country."