Amalgamation Of Marching Bodies Still In The Air

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 August 1948, Page 4

Amalgamation Of Marching Bodies Still In The Air

Amalgamation of the New Zealand Marching Union and the New Zealand Marching and Recreation Associatiun would appear to be as far off as ever, in spite of negotiations which have extended over a protracted period. The New Zealand Union, with headquarters in Wanganui, is adamant to agreeing to amalgamation until such time as the association deletes Lie word ‘‘recreation” from its title. In a statement to the Press, the secretary of the union, Mr. C. T. Young, relates the history of the negotiations which began on Anril 7 last for the amalgamation of the two organisations which at present’ control gi ' marching teams. The basis of 1 xscussion at the conference was tier from the union suggesting .t in the interests of the sport, it w\ . desirable that there should be one controlling body. The letter suggested that marching should be governed by personnel interested solely in marching and that finality should he reached before June 30. At the conference between the twe organisations, Mr. L E. Wright, president of the union, moved that the two organisations should disband and form a new association to control niarehing. This was seconded by Mr. W. S. Hopewell, ’.inion representative from New Ph’moulh, but it was realised that the association’s delegates were outnumbered by six to had retired, they returned with a four. After the association’s delegates proposal that the association would consider at its annual meeting deleting the word “recreation” from its title in consideration of the union affiliating in toto with the N.Z. Marching (and recreation) Association. This was seconded by Mr. C. T. Young and carried unanimously, whereupon the motion by Mr. Wright regarding the disbanding of the two organisations was withdrawn. ‘‘No purpose would be served by the union affiliating with the association until after the title and constitution are amended,” reads Mr, Young’s statement. “With regard to voting at the annual general meeting, the New Zealand Marching Union delegates at the Wanganui conference were misled. The handbook of the association was produced at the conference containing what was declared to be the up-to-date constitution. This stated that each affiliated association would be entitled to two delegates, one of whom may be the resident delegate. The handbook was revised and reprinted in October, 1947, but we are now informed that the rule regarding representation was altered last August and now states that each affiliated centre is entitled to two delegates, one of whom must be the resident delegate. From the foregoing, it seems that the only satisfactory and fair method of forming one organisation to administer marching is that advocated by the N.Z. Marching Union—for both organisations to wind up and form a new association.”