H.A.C.B, SOCIETY.

New Zealand Tablet, 24 February 1916, Page 39

H .A.C.B, SOCIETY.

i' To the Editor. t Sir, —Bro. J. J. Xi. Burke once more endeavours to obscure the position by avoiding the point at issue that is, the expense of holding the meeting, and not its postponement. Bro. Burke writes (I am quoting his own words): If he will re-read that letter he will find that I have never hinted at or suggested anything so absurd as asking the branches to reverse their votes of August last.’ In order to make the matter intelligible I would point to the fact that sub-section (a) of the motion carried at the last district meeting reads as follows: It is undesirable to hold the meeting [at Westport] because of the consequent expense, i.e., over £SOO, during the strenuous time,’ etc. Bro. Burke now solicits the support of branches for the motion standing in the name of Wellington branch, No. 95, which reads : That owing to the postponement of the triennial movable meeting of 1916, the expenses of delegates to the annual meeting at Auckland in February (or when held), 1916, be paid out of the district management fund to the same extent as delegates’ expenses are paid at a triennial movable meeting.’ There is nothing ambiguous in this motion ; it is simply transferring the expenditure, which the wise action of the last district meeting prevented at Westport, to the next annual meeting to be held in Auckland. “ Economy during war time was the foundation and apex of the motion carried last August, and if the motion to be moved by the delegate for branch No. 95 be carried, as proposed by Bro. Burke, it will most assuredly be, in effect, a reversal of the vote cast by delegates at the last district meeting. Bro. Burke charges me with being * obsessed with the injustice of the district executive in moving the postponement of the triennial movable meeting for 1916.’ The district executive, whose duty it is to study the interests of all branches, were surely within their rights in submitting a question of such grave importance to branches for their consideration, and enabling them to vote on it and decide for or against it. The majority of branches decided that the holding of such a meeting at such an expense, during this period of world-wide stress, must be attended with ill effects to the society. Where is the ‘ injustice ’ in this ?

With reference to the protest lodged by branch No. 95, it was ruled out of order by the district president, and then handed back by the district president at the meeting to the delegate for branch No. 95. I have not se.en or handled that protest at any subsequent period. There .was, therefore, no . * neglect ’ on my part in hot forwarding it to the Registrar. : Bro. "Burke’s. innuendoes concerning the district executive and proxies are unfair. They (the proxies) voted by instructions, not from the executive but from the branches, which, in nearly every instance, appointed them.- *V . K In conclusion let it be clearly understood that nothing would afford greater' pleasure to the district executive than to see. a very large direct representation of the branches at the annual meeting to be held in April next at Auckland. —I am, etc., - v • f - W. Kane, 'M District Secretary. . P.S.— Bro. Burke had read the official minutes, page 13, he would have_ known what became of the appeal (protest) from branch No. 95.