J FORCE ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27039, 25 March 1949, Page 6

J FORCE ASSOCIATION

FORMATION DISCUSSED INTERIM COMMITTEE ELECTED The proposal to form a Dunedin branch of the J Force Association was carried a stage further at a meeting of former personnel of the 2nd NZEF (Japan) last night,, when an interim committee was set up to ascertain the general feeling on the subject. If support is not forthcoming the proposal will be dropped. The attendance was more encouraging than that at the previous meeting. Mr J. Watson, who acted as chairman, said that the proposal had come after a great deal of discussion by the RSA. The principal object of the proposed association would be of a social nature, he said, while the NZRSA and branches would care for the national and local interests of the members in regard to general matters such as pensions. The constitution of the association would provide for a Dominion executive committee, with representation on the NZRSA executive. He added that Auckland had formed a particularly strong association. Those present expressed their views on the subject before the motion to set up an interim committee was carried. One question put forward was: “ Why cannot J Force men be admitted to the RSA? ” , _. This was answered by Mr O L. Ferens. who represented the RSA. He said that the RSA was a branch of an Empire Organisation, the rules of which did not allow the inclusion of J Force men or men who had similar service, in its membership. The matter had been debated very seriously, however, he said, and many had contended that former J Force personnel should be included as ordinary members. The RSA would do everything to help them, he added, whether or not they formed an association. The interim committee set up consists of Messrs G. M. Stephenson (convener), A. St John, J. D. McShea M. D. R. Munro, N. T. Bachelor and J Watson.