D. I. C. GIRLS’ TEAM LEAVES ONE MARCHING BODY TO LINK WITH ANOTHER

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 October 1947, Page 4

D. I. C. GIRLS’ TEAM LEAVES ONE MARCHING BODY TO LINK WITH ANOTHER

Further indication of the rift between two bodies controlling girls’ marching in New Zealand was given at the annual meeting last night of Wanganui Marching Association, when the D.I.C. Girls' Marching Team (Wanganui), in a letter written by the team's honorary secretary (Miss Muriel Benson), resigned from the association. The resignation was accepted, as also was the resignation ot Mr. F. E. Gibbons, a member of the association. Mr. V. J. Heenan presided. Miss Benson, in her letter to the association, gave her committee'* reasons for resigning as follows: "1. The committee feels it desirable tha) the control of marching in New Zealand should be under one controlling body, to function in the best interests of the sport as a whole. "2. That the Marching and Recreational Association is the official marching organisation recognised and assisted by the Government, and controls marching activities over the .whole of New Zealand with the exception of two districts.

“3. That the committee is not happy with the general set-up and administration of the N.Z. Marching Union. Its organisation is thought by the committee to be inefficient and not executed In the best interests of the girls participating in the sport. "4. That the N.Z. Marching Union has failed to make any serious efforts over the last six months to meet or discuss the possibility of amalgamation with the Marching and Recreational Association. The committee feels that there is little prospect of the two organisations forming an amalgamation in the near future under the present administration of the N.Z. Marching Union.

“For the above reasons the committee has decided to affiliate with the New Zealand Marching and Recreational body.” Mr. D. A. Almond (Wanganui Pipe Band) said it was with regret that he learned of the withdrawal of the D.I.C. team as it was one ot the oldest in the marching movement in Wan-, ganui and was now going over to «] rival body.

Mr. Almond said he thought it was generally known that four or five teams were thinking on similar lines. “It has to be admitted that the last season had not been a happy one in the association and we must all share equally with the- blame," said Mr. Almond. If the association was to continue it would have to pull its socks up. “Here in our own town are teams falling away from us and going to a rival organisation,” he added.

“I believe we are the right organisation,” said the speaker, "but there should only be one controlling body. Let us meet the representatives of the Marching and Recreation Association in Wellington and discuss the position, of amalagamation, but do not let us approach them In panic,” he added.

At this stage Mr. L. Wright (N.Z. Marching Union) said that had he not been in Australia the matter of meeting representatives of the Wellington body would have taken place before this. Mr. R. Francis (Garrison Band) said Wanganui had in the past put marching on a high plane, and had won high acclaim from outside centres. However, In the past year there had not been ihat co-operation between the bands and the association which was desirable for success. The Wanganui bands could play their part and he was sure that if more co-operat.on was’ forthcoming from the association it would bc all right. Mr. E. O. Schnack (Queen s Own Band) said Wanganui was a fine city and he hoped there would be a consolidation of the ranks for the good name of the city.

Mr. Heenan was appointed to represent (he Marching Association at the annual meeting of the Wanganui Marching Union to be held on Saturday night.