FREEDOM FROM POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25238, 29 May 1943, Page 5

FREEDOM FROM POLITICS

SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATION A STRONG REAFFIRMATION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 28. The determination of the N.Z.R.S.A. to keep out of politics was reaffirmed by the annual conference to-day in a resolution*, declaring that the association of the word “soldier” in connection with the name of any political party would be strongly deprecated by the association and that the conference reaffirm its strong determination to remain non-party and nori-political in accordance with the constitution. Mr W. E. Leadley said there would be a general election shortly, and all parties were going right out for what they called ” the soldiers’ vote.” A “ soldiers' vote ” did not exist. To say that soldiers, because they served together, would vote together, was utter nonsense. , Mr A. P. Postlewaite (Auckland): It is a disgrace that any political adventurers should try to climb into Parliament on the backs of the. returned soldiers. The conference agreed that the time was inopportune to consider amending the constitution to permit the membership of men with home service only. The feeling was expressed that this should be left till after the men returned, but that, recognising that home service men had problems of their own. the local associations should take steps to assist in the formation of home ‘ service associations with an eventual Dominion headquarters council. The continued assistance and co-operation of both the N.Z.R.S.A. headquarters and branches was pledged in'furthering the just claims of this group of servicemen and women, and tl\e view was also expressed that if possible such home service associations should be affiliated with the R.S.A. Associations. The following officers were elected: President, Mr W. Perry, M.L.C.; Dominion vice-president, Mr B. J. Jacobs; district vice-presidents—Messrs L. C. Logan (Auckland), G. G. Griffiths (Waikato-Bay of Plenty), G. McCormick (Wellington - Taranaki - West Coast), G. M. Menzies (WellingtonEast Coast, P. Davy (Canterbury-West-land-Nelson-Marlborough). W. K Cameron (Otago-Southland); Dominion, treasurer, Mr J. D. Harper; Dominion Executive—Messrs C. W. Batten. C. O. Bell. P. H. G. Burdskin, A. T. Duncan R. W. Fenton.-E. C. Hale, G. A Hayden. C. Holmes, and W. E. Leadley.