RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17583, 29 May 1919, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

DISCUSSION ON

POLITICAL AC-

TION

CONFERENCE DECIDES AGAINST

THE PROPOSAL

(Per Press Association.)

CHRiSTCHURCH, May 28. The question of political action was discussed ai. the Xew Zealand Returned Soldiers' Coiiterence to-day. Before the discussion opened, the president suggested that every delegate's vote be recorded, and moved that for tlie purposes oi: this discussio non the proposed political action of the nseoeiation the -words •'political action shall mean action that is concerned with the election of candidates for Parliament. This was carried.

Mr Andrews (Auckland) moved that the article dealing with the- scope of the association be altered by the deletion of the' "now" that occurs in front of the word "political." After stating that ho had been opposed to political action when he joined the association, ho said the failure of the Government to realise its responsibilities had changed his view. Ho gave a lengthy account of the attempts of the association to obtain Government assistance. He sup., ported political action, but not party action.

In supporting the motion, Mr McGiH (Wanganui) said that the- only power thoy could have was political power. Mr Cowles (Wairarapa) moved as an jimendniiiit that "non-party" he substituted in the motion for "political." Mr Andrews agreed to accept this amendment.

Mr Watts (Waimate) suggested that no amendment of the motion should beadmitted. but the president said that if the conference refused or accented il't principle of political action, ?is indicated in the motion, it was competent for i' to decide whether its action should be party political action or non-party. Mr Hastings (Teniuka) said that tlie measure should be deferred until tiny got the puise-beat of the who.c Doini nion.

Mr Willis (Hawera) said *.ie association should endeavour to cleanse politics. Mr-Long (Auckland) sm-1 that the only means of reform was by noliticaf action.

Mr Maloize (Napier) *ns opposed to the action proposed. Mr Reeves (Hastings) urged tha« great caution Ik> taken before us.iig the right of political action. Mr Cowles (Masterton) supported political action so far as it attsmd soidiers.

At the afternoon sitting, Percy 'Brandon (Wellington) said he understood under the Civil Service regulations no civil servant could belong to a political organisation. If the Association formed itself into a political body, every civil servant in it would be obliged to resign. He would be obliged to resign. He would strongly oppose the motion if such a disability were placed upon civil servants. He did not think the time ripe for the association to form itself into a political association.

Mr. Washer (Tauranga) said there were a number of members of the Association in the military forces, and according to the Army regulations no soldier was allowed to take part in a political association. The Association would lose a number of very able members if it formed itself into a political body.

Mr. N. B. McCallum. (Christchurch) said that the men who had gone away had all shades of political opinions, and it was doubtful whether, on their return, they could be expected to see eye to eye with one another on party politics. Rather, they would stand by their old political beliefs. It was treading on dangerous ground to depart from a policy which had the unanimous approval of the public, and the Association should apply itself to a constructive scheme for the general good.

Mr. Withy (Nelson) said the only bond that was holding the Association's members together was the fact that they had all seen active service, and that they were all out for the good of the men who had gone- to the war and returned injured, and their dependents. The danger of division, if the motion were carried, was very real.

After a debate which lasted all day until nearly 7 p.m., the Auckland remit in favour of political action was negatived by 57 votes to 25.

Mr. Andrews then thanked the opponents of political action for their sportsmanlike attitude towards the remit. His side was beaten, but not discouraged. There would be no split. (Applause). He intended to work fairly to reverse the decision in the new conference.