THE RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 7, 18 October 1919, Page 23

THE RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Political Action. THE. remits which last week's general meeting of the A.R.S.A. .decided to send to the Conference are few in number, but they express Auckland's opinion to the letter. The first and most important is the proposal that the constitution should be amended to permit the Association to take direct political action. It is to be sincerely hoped that on this occasion the delegates will be instructed how to vote on this question, but owing to the haste with which the Conference was called, it is quite possible that once again there will be delegates present without the authority of the general meetings. Auckland delegates will no doubt watch this matter, for actually any decision on such an important matter of policy cannot be accepted unless delegates vote according to the express instructions of their Associations —and not the executives of their Associations. * * • Support from Christchurch. It is encouraging to note that the Christchurch Association has declared in favour of political action. Christchurch delegates at the last Conference voted the other way, although one of their representatives stated that personally he. had been convinced by the sound arguments put forward by those who proposed the change. If one is not mistaken, Christchurch will not be the only convert to political action. * • • Qivil Servants on Executive. The applause which greeted the Auckland remit, "that no Government servants be eligible for seats on the Association Executive, made it very plain how the meeting would vote "on this matter. There is a strong feeling in Auckland that the presence of so many civil servants at the last conference brought in an outside influence upon Association affairs which should not be. Similarly it is felt that the fact that Government officials are on the Dominion Executive introduces an influence which should not be allowed in our affairs. Personally I believe that the gentlemen in question are not conscious of this State influence. I do not think tor one moment that Messrs. Batten and Harper think of anything but the good of the Association, but probably their official positions give them an official point of view without their knowing it. In any case, seeing that their presence in the Executive has raised general hostility, they should be prepared to stand down. * * * Rules of the Civill Service. It has been alleged that if the Association became a political body the members who are Government servants would not be able to continue their membership under the rule which prevents civil servants being members of politcal bodies.- It the rules of the service can so interpreted it is high time they were changed. But surely there is a vast difference between the kind of political body fixe Association would be and the ordinary party political bodies 1 As a matter of fact, the Association would be no more a political body than many of the civil service organisations now are. Everyone knows that certain civil service bodies are actively political even if they don't discuss

By Sajppbb

;ive HIM MIS. Dues?

their politics in public. There are many members who believe that far too much stress was laid upon the possible exclusion of civil servants when political action was discussed at last Conference. They believe that it was a convenient argument, but that this possible exclusion of civil servants was not what inspired the argument. My idea is that the best way to make the Government abolish any rule whjich interferes with the 1- liberty of the State servant is to make the R.S.A. a political body. Obviously the R.S.A. would support the abolition of such a rule which is so strongly opposed to soldier sentiment. * * * The Gratuity. It will be interesting to hear what the Dominion Executive has to say in regard to the action of its subcommittee in suggesting a gratuity rate to the Government after the Conference had definitely decided that the Association did have nothing to say in regard to the rate. It may be offered as an excuse that the Government asked for the R.S.A.'s views, but, even so, who could state what the R.S.A.'s views were? This action of two or three men is beyond comprehension Even if they did say that their suggestions were personal suggestions, it is obvious, in view of their source, that they would carry more weight than personal opinions. It appears to be another instance of "Rafferty rules" at headquarters, and is anothor reason Avhy headquarters should have its exaggerated ideas of its own powers very firmly quenched. It is very clear that Association government of this kind will break up the Association very soon—that is, if it hasn't brought about disruption already. * » * Pension Matters. The pension proposals for the Conference all found unanimous support. One of the most important is the remit which asks that the right of appeal against the decisions of the Pensions Board should be given to returned men. No doubt the Government will say that the Association should be satisfied with the representation it has. on the Pensions Board, but that does not meet the point. Mr. Harper is an excellent man, and can be relied upon absolutely, but Mr. Harper is not a medical man, and he is helpless when doctors differ. How can Mr. Harper, or any member of the Board, go against a medical officers' opinion. As we all know, doctors' opinions vary considerably, and a soldier whose case is supported by outside medical opinion should have the right of appeal. If the Board's job was to deal only with men who are maimed and lamed, and so on, its job would be easy, but the work becomes most difficult when nerve cases a|nd others of a perplexing character have to be dealt with. * * * Our Delegates. The Association is fortunate in having Messrs. Inder, Potter and Andrews to represent it at the conferences. These three delegates will exercise twenty votes, the limit fixed for any one association. This is a big improvement upon our" former representation, but even yet Auckland, with its great membership, is placed at a disadvantage. The only fair method of representation is to give every association a vote for every member, or at any rate, for every 100. Why should the largest association be refused its full representation?

A No Confidence Farce.

Unexpectedly a motion of no confidence in the committee was proposed at the Auckland general meeting. It was not possible to follow the reasoning of the because they condemned the committee for carrying out its instructions. It was afterwardjs shown that the mover had not been in New Zealand when certain decisions were carried. Of course the motion was lost, but unfortunately it must have an affect upon the public, who still view the association with (grav|b misgivings. From the discussion it appeared that some of the hostility orignated in some reference to "stiffs" in regard to an open air meeting which wanted the Association to disregard conference's decision and demand a higher gratuity. Who used the term "stiffs?"—that was the question— all the members of the executive denied it. But it seemed a strange thing that some personal feeling should be followed by a no-confidence motion. It is further hinted that outside politics had something to do with the matter. A very sorry affair altogether. A Regrettable Incident. . The incident was a trifling one, but it is just such incidents that cause members to lose heart in the Association. It is evidence of a crude kind of reasoning, and an attitude which disregards the interests of the whole in favour of personal opinion which is not sufficiently large to be called minority opinion. There may be several reasons for moving a vote of no confidence in the committee but not a single reason was advanced. The motion was backed by an entire lack of knowledge. That being so, can we blame the public if they shake doubting heads?