OAMARU RSA TO TAKE NO ACTION ABOUT COMMUNISTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27041, 28 March 1949, Page 3

OAMARU RSA TO TAKE NO ACTION ABOUT COMMUNISTS

NORTH OTAGO NEW»

Members of the Oamaru branch of the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, by a large majority, defeated a motion by the president, Mr I. T. Catto, “ that all Communists be debarred from membership of all affiliated branches of the NZRSA” at the quarterly meeting of the branch on Saturday night. A motion by Mr H. A. Crowe—“ that until Communism was outlawed in New Zealand by the Government of the day, the RSA as an association take no action in the matter ” was carried with a few dissentients. After the motion had been carried, Mr Catto expressed appreciation of the way in which the matter had been discussed.

" We have been asked for our opinion about the advisability of debarring Communists from membership,” Mr Catto said. “ We should not dismiss this. matter lightly." A motion that a postal vote be held to ascertain the thoughts of all members of the association and “ not just the 50 odd present ” was withdrawn after a short discussion. The subject was one that members would not like speaking out about, Mr Catto said, and the question was delicate in view of the fact that the association was non-political. The RSA was a select organisation and only men who served overseas could join its ranks. A member: There were a lot of men who fought and died overseas who may have had Communistic beliefs. We fought together for a freer country and I fail to see how the association can bar any member owing to the political beliefs he holds. “ We are discussing one of the most vital questions tackled by the association,” said Mr R. Leonard. " Men went away and fought for freedom and have earned the right to be members. I am not carrying any thought for the Communist, but we are interfering with his freedom.” Mr E. Cameron expressed the opinion that the motion should be carried on the grounds that Communism was a menace to the country. He suggested that if there were a Communist present he should “ get up and give his views.” Mr Leonard: I think the speaker is out of order in suggesting that any member should give his political views. Mr Piper suggested that if action were not taken the association might jeopardise its allegiance to the King and the British Empire. “ It is not within our powers to say who is a Communist, that is for the State,” Mr B. Allan said. “ We are stepping on dangerous ground. We should ask the Government to appoint a commission to investigate Communism in New Zealand.” Mr R- Leonard at this juncture moved

that as the Oamaru RSA had no trouble from Communists, the branch should make no recommendation in respect to Communists within the organisation, but the motion was ruled out of 'order by the president, who stated that as he had given notice of his motion he, therefore, could not accept an amendment. Mr Catto's motion was then put to the meeting and defeated, after which Mr Crowe's motion was carried.