MARCHING UNION SAYS IT IS DENIED USE OF PUBLIC FACILITES

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 May 1947, Page 4

MARCHING UNION SAYS IT IS DENIED USE OF PUBLIC FACILITES

Denial of the right of the N.Z. Marching Union having use of the National Film Unit and the National Broadcasting Corporation was alleged against the Department of Internal Affairs, at the first annual meeting of the union in Wanganui on Saturday night. "There is a matter for your consideration which will have considerable infience on the future of girls' marching in this country ” the outgoing president, Mr. 1 . L. Healy, stated in his annual re, .1. "That i$ the request oy Mr. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, that delegates from both the Marching Union and the Marching and Recreation Association should meet, under an independent chairman, in an effort to evolve one organisation to control the sport,” he added. “Following correspondence from Mr. Parry, the secretary telephoned Mr. A. G. Harper, of the Internal Affairs Department, requesting him to meet the management committee. As a result Mr. Harper visited Wanganui last Sunday. He outlined the position of the Internal Affairs Department in relation to marching and emphasised that, although financial assistance had been given to the Marching and Recreation Association there was no wish for or suggestion of departmental control. •It was pointed out to Mr. Harper that though the Department may not control the Marching and Recreation Association, it did exercise some control over the Marching Union by denying our organisation public facilities, such as the National Film Unit and the Broadcasting Service. “The management committee feels that Mr. Harper’s visit may be a step in the right direction. He was handed a copy of our constitution, and undertook to have a copy of the constitution of the Marching and Recreation Association forwarded to us. The management commitec resolved that after perusal of the constitution of the rival organisation the proposal to meet the Marching and Recreation Association in conference would be placed before the union.”