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A Short History of the
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Earlier we read of the demise of the Auckland Section in 1939, and that after World War II Wellington had become by mutual agreement the Headquarters of the Association, and the Wellington Section had assumed the running of it. A Provincial Representative for Auckland was elected, followed in 1950 by representatives for Canterbury and Otago. However, as membership increased the arrangement became inadequate; more were elected, individual areas of responsibility reduced, and they were re-named District Representatives. Today (1986), there are 14, from Whangarei to Invercargill, covering the following districts, camps, etc: Northland, Auckland and North Shore, South Auckland, 16 Fd Regt RNZA, Thames/Coromandel, Hawkes Bay/ Taupo, Taranaki, Wanganui, Hutt Valley, Wellington, Canterbury/Westland/ Nelson, 3 Fd Regt RNZA (Burnham),Otago, and Southland. The new District Reps were elected Vice-Presidents, but at the same time it was decided that existing Vice-Presidents (who had no specific responsibilities), should retain their offices - provided they made the usual annual donation in addition to the prescribed subscription. If they failed to do so they were not re-elected! With the end of the war came a significant increase in membership. Men who had resigned from the RNZA continued to be accepted as 'active' members, while those who continued to serve joined as 'honorary' members, but as both paid the same subscription - and Army Headquarters no longer objected to serving soldiers holding office - the distinction was eventually dropped. Both then became ordinary or paying members. An honorary member is now a person who, while perhaps not qualifying for membership in the regular manner, has given valuable service to the Association over a number of years. He must be elected at an Annual General Meeting by a four-fifths majority of qualified members present. Honorary members are entitled to all the privileges of membership except the right to vote at meetings. From 1949 any paying member who had rendered distinguished service over an extended period could be elected to life membership, and the first so elected was No. 775 Alex (Okey) Thomson, who had been Secretary of both Wellington Section and the national body since their formation. Regrettably Okey did not long enjoy the distinction for he died in 1950. At the same time it became customary to elect to life membership any paying member upon his attaining the age of 80 years. In 1969 the Association approved the election as Associate members retired or serving soldiers of other Regular Force corps 'if during their service they have been attached to the RNZA (RF), or who have had a close affinity therewith' by a four-fifths majority of the Executive Committee. Associate membership is also offered to serving or retired regular soldiers of other Commonwealth countries on the same basis. Associate members have the same privileges as honorary members. Neither honorary nor life members pay dues. Finding cause for concern over the number of members who, owing to age, physical disability, remoteness of location, or other reasons, were unable to attend reunions, in 1949 the Executive resolved to issue newsletters to ensure all were kept supplied with news of comrades as wel1 as activities of the Association. While for various reasons few were published during the years immediately following, in more recent times they have appeared quarterly. In addition to recording news of members, changes of address, notices of reunions. etc, the newsletters include other items of Gunner interest, e.g. customs, traditions, and history of the Regiment. They have evinced many expressions of appreciation. Faced with rising costs in the same year the Executive conducted a postal vote on the annual subscription, i.e. whether it should remain at one shilling (10c), be raised to 2/6 (25c) or to 5/- (50c). Almost all members replied, 70% of the total strength of 265 voting for 2/6 (the amount required!). which remained in force until 1957 when it was increased to 5/-. As the pound and then the dollar decreased in real value, further increases became necessary: to $1 in 1973, $1.50 in 1976, $2 in 1980, and $2.50 in 1984. However, it is probably the lowest annual subscription of any similar organisation in the country. As a matter of interest, one shilling in 1936 was equivalent to $1.76 in 1983, while 2/6 in 1951 was equivalent to $2.61 in 1983. That the Association not only survives on low subscription rates but is also able to disburse funds to members suffering hardship is due in no small measure to the generosity of a small band of stalwarts who over the years have made substantial donations in addition to the prescribed dues. For their continued support we are all deeply grateful. In 1954 the Association received a 50 pound grant from the Fort Dorset Sports Club funds, to which all RNZA stationed at the Fort prior to the war had contributed. The club's activities had been suspended and its funds frozen on the outbreak of hostilities as fit members of the Regiment were progressively seconded to 2NZEF, or posted to other localities. Making the grant was a thoughtful gesture by the authorities inheriting control of the funds, and was much appreciated by members. After all, it was their money. A 'few of the moderns believe that the handouts called 'benefits' now available from the Social Welfare Department take care of all cases of hardship, that the Old Comrades Association need no longer be concerned with the welfare of members, but should become a 'good-time' club, thus attracting soldiers or ex-soldiers of the younger generation. Like most minorities their outlook is 'one-eyed'; they seem to forget that young soldiers too, eventually grow old - if they are lucky! Despite the welfare state there is still a need for the Association to continue its present policy of giving assistance, as well as organising functions, reunions. etc. Ever since the founding of the Association funds have been continually spent on welfare, and there is little doubt they will continue to be spent; for confirmation one has only to peruse the Treasurer's annual financial statements and balance sheets. Amounts are generally small, but occasionally there arises the need for more substantial assistance, as illustrated by the following recent examples: 'A' was a member in his eighties; he had given the best 31 years of his life to the service of the state, including active service in World War I. and was fast going blind. The most the state he had served so well would do was to book him into a public hospital which could not perform the operation necessary to restore his sight for three years, for the greater part of which he would have been totally blind. But a private hospital could operate without delay - for a very fat fee - to which the state would not contribute. To raise the required sum 'A' sold his car, but the price he realised together with his savings was still some three hundred dollars short. The Association made up the difference. Member 'B' had the back entrance to his home blocked by spoil from a slip on his section, but having been incapacitated by a stroke could not clear up the resulting mess himself. Neither the state, his insurance company, the local city council. the Army Welfare Fund, nor anyone else was prepared to assist. He was obliged to engage a local civilian contractor at over a thousand dollars (the lowest of three quotes), to do the job which made inroads on his savings he could ill afford. Not only was the Association able to ease his burden but it was instrumental in obtaining a grant from National Patriotic Funds (instituted during World War II and still in existence) through the local RSA. We realise cash alone is not the complete answer; it should be complemented by the benefits of comradeship, the comradeship we claim to foster. To this end District Reps should endeavour to keep in touch with members, visit them when they are sick, bring them together for local reunions or social gatherings, generally 'keep alive the old spirit' and not let them think they are forgotten as they grow old. At the same time we invite members who may be 'down on their luck' not to be too proud to let their District Reps, Secretary, or any other members of the Executive know the details, so that help can be arranged where possible. We extend the same invitation to widows of members 'gone west'. .../Lest we forget See also: NZ Artillery Units 1946 - 1950 previous | index | next | History index | Home | ||