R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17697, 24 October 1919, Page 2

R.S.A. CONFERENCE.

BUSINESS UNCOMPLETED.

EXECUTIVE TO BORROW £500 TO

CARRY ON,

(Per J?Eess Association.) WELLINGTON, October 22

The proposed new constitution for the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association was submitted to the Conference to-day. The proposals were drafted by a sub-comnrittee consisting of Messrs D. Smith (Gore), and J. H. Luxford (Waikato.) Mr Smith, in introducing [the draft, said the new constitution provided in the schedule for a'cominon constitution for provincial associations. Alterations to the constitution could only be made by the N.Z.R.S.A. in general meeting. The new organisation provided for a common policy and common action for the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association throughout the country.

Various clauses of the draft constitution were taken seriatim, and the discussion which took place on them was at the time very sharp. It was decided that , the following clauses regarding membership should be accepted: Membership shall consist of five provincial associations (hereinafter called member associations), to be named by the 'Boundary Committee. A local association shall be affiliated with a member association, but such local association may affiliate with, any member association provided that such local association shall not be affiliated with more than one member association at any one time. The second, portion of the membership clause was adopted. The clause is that the constitution of a member association is, and shall remain mutatis mutandis, as set out in the schedule hereto. ■

Mr Seivwright (Wellington) said he was going to move an extraordinary resolution in order to expedite business. His motion was "That this meeting adopts the report in toto in order to give the matter an opportunity of being worked under by the various provincial organisations." He said unless the conference got on to the matter of pensions there would not be a quorum to decide vital questions which were * on the agenda paper.

A long and heated discussion took place, in which the chairman intimated that no mention* had been made in the House of pensions.

Mr D. Colquhoun (Dunedin), moved an amendment that a committee consisting of two delegates from the large centres should go over the constitution and select points for debate.

After further discussion Mr. Colquhoun's amendment was lost.

At the Chairman's suggestion the executive were called together to discuss the situation. At 6.3 0 p.m. the conference1 re-opened, and a motion confirming-* -all the business,, to date was carried unanimously. Investigation revealted the fact that there was a quorum present, but owing to the departure of delegates for their homes there j would not be a quorum for the even-' }ing session. It was proposed that the delegates present .constitute an advisory committee to deal with all matters not yet decided on by the conference.. / ~ ..

Mr.. Harper then proposed a motion, restricting u*e advisory committee and explained • that the association .would have to carry on under the old. constitution.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. R. J. F. Aldrich asked the conference to make provision for finance, and moved tnat the capitation fee to headquarters be increased to 2s 6d for new members and that renewals remain as at present (2s). He called delegates' attention to the^ [financial statement, and remarked that it was impossible to carry on. The association at present was carrying on with borrowed money.

A general discussion followed, during which it was moved, and carried unanimously,' that the executive borrow £500.