Minutes of the Annual Conference of the
Legion of Frontiersmen of the Commonwealth, [New Zealand] Command Inc.
Held at Hawera on Saturday 5 June 1983.
The conference commenced at 10.10 am with a welcome being extended to all present by the Commanding Officer of the host troop, ‘Z’ Troop, who then handed the conference over to the Commandant, Colonel DJ Baker, who introduced the Mayor Mr BE Murray.
The Mayor addressed the conference and formally declared the conference open and wished all well in their deliberations and expressed the wish that the Legion continue to serve a very important purpose in the community.
Reverend Doug Pullen blessed the conference which was also blessed by Frontiersman Baker of ‘E’ Squadron, in Maori. Reverend Pullen then led the conference in singing God Defend New Zealand before adjourning the meeting for morning tea.
Conference resumed at 11.13 am with the Roll Call and apologies:
Present
Capt PL Fromont, Lt R Hammond, B Coker, Fm B Bowring, Fm D McCall [A Squadron], Capt W Ututaonga, Pnr H Fraser, SSgt F Hohepa, Fm R Wilson, Fm G Buckworth, Fm W Stewart, Fm B Nirai, Fm C Broadworth, [B Squadron], Cpl M Marsh [D Troop], Capt J Penney, Lieut E Marsh, Padre Baker [E Squadron]. Fm D Vaile, Fm G Crosbie, Fm D Yearbury, Fm P McKinnon, [F Troop], Lieut A Matson, Fm G Wilkes [G Squadron], Sgt R Powell, Lieut F Kahu, Fm J Beauchamp, Fm E Thompson [H Troop], Fm W Graham, Fm L Lane, Fm M Watkins, Fm D Peake, Fm B Beaumont, Fm S Johnson [J Squadron], Capt K Wallis, Fm A Wallis, Fm B Cottle [K Squadron], Capt N Dalton, Lieut D Bishop, Lieut R McLeod, Sgt A. Lepper, Sgt J. Hamill, Fm L. Beardmore, Fm H. Hart, Sgt McKinnon, Sgt Ostler, Fm Payne, Fm Antill, Fm Hook, Lieut Seamark [L Squadron], Lieut K Wilton, Fm D West, Sgt L Pearson, SM G Dymond, Sgt Smith, Fm P Edwards [M Squadron], Capt D Funnell, Lieut J Walraven, SSM Anthony, Sgt D Majors, Cpl Black, 2Lieut A Court, Fm Carson, Cadet R Anthony, Cadet M Anthony, Cadet Cpl S Funnell [N Squadron], Sgt D Tuheke [O Troop], C Crutch, R Taylor [U Squadron], Lieut M Stokes, Sgt W Stokes, Fm G Stokes, Fm Weber [W Troop], Capt J Kane, Fm W Smith, Fm W Steer [Y Squadron], Sgt R Wasley, Capt Hicks, Lieut I Cameron, Cpl K Arthur, Fm L Eustace, Fm R Hicks, Fm K Hunt, Fm J Bishop, Fm B Henry, Fm J Oldfield, Commandant D Baker, Lieut Col Spence, Maj C Bathe, Lieut G Burling, Sgt Maj G Somerville, Fm D Walker.
Apologies
Lieut S Livingstone, Sgt Maj R Nielsen [Y Squadron], Lieut Col E France [Assoc Y Squadron], Sgt Mala, Fm A Myers, Fm Frost [Y Squadron], Capt R Ratu, Fm D. McKinley, Fm A Frank [M Squadron], Fm R Rosser, Fm D Pearce, Fm G Holmes [L Troop], Fm H Edwards [P Troop], Fm S Adlam, T Ingram [Z Troop], Fm I. Logan,Fm D Ready [H Troop], Fm Thomas [P Troop], Capt Muir, Fm Lynden [U Troop], Lieut Bowen [J Squadron], D Yorke [HQ], Fm E Lynch, Fm Hogan [J Squadron], Fm K Baker, Sgt Brown, Lieut Jacobs [D Troop], Sgt Shaab [I Troop], Fm Lewis [W Troop].
Carried.
Minutes
Minutes of the last conference in Whangarei on 3 June 1982 were read by the Secretary.= Approved and carried
Business arising from the minutes
[A]Insurance on Cups – It was reported that it was almost impossible to have the cups insured unless they were all held at one place. Accordingly the question of insurance has been left.
[B]Pioneers –
Wlkes J55 years
Henry B52 years
Hart S 48 years
All stood together with all other pioneers and were clapped. Toal service by all Pioneers [10] is 374 years service averaging 37.4 years each
[C] It was reported that Sgt G Burling has been promoted to Liet G Burling.
[D]Legion crests for sale, ex ‘N’ Squadron. Colonel Baker suggested that units purchase a crest and donate it to their local RSA, Police / Transport Dept or the like to spread the word of the Legion
Election of Officer – Office of Commandant up for re-election after three years in office. The sole nomination of Colonel Baker was received and accordingly re-elected for a further term of three years.
Commandants Report – Colonel Baker presented his report to the conference and formally moved the adoption of the report. - Seconded ‘N’ Squadron - carried
Last Post – During the year the following Legion members passed away –
Haumaha S. - 'D' Squadron
Coveney T. - 'I' Troop
Honore D. - 'K' Squadron
Taplin A. - 'K' Squadron
Matthews L. - 'N' Squadron
Green T. - 'N' Squadron
Norgate O. - 'L' Squadron
Forbes N. - 'R' Squadron
Bootes D. - 'Y' Squadron
Use of channel 13 for radio – Colonel Baker has requested the use of channel 13 on radio handsets for duty purposes. After discussion it appears that local inspectors have differing opinions regarding the use of this channel, with some inspectors quite willingly allowing the use of this channel for duty purposes and others refusing authority absolutely. Ian Cameron of ‘Z’ Troop suggested that headquarters write to the chief radio inspector for New Zealand and seek official ruling for this matter and thereafter circulate the letter to all Troops and Squadrons for handing to their local inspectors for action.
Adjournment for luncheon at 12.04 and for photographs – resumed conference at 1.45 with the financial report. Colonel Baker recorded an adding error of $56 in the Quartermasters stock record and advised conference that capitation fees were up by $675, this sum being capitation fees paid for the 1983 year.
Colonel Baker moved the adoption of the report which was seconded by Major Bathe and carried by the conference. The report was then open for discussion.
Lieut Colonel Spence gave an indication of the proposed expenditure for the 1984 Conference in Wellington and gave an approximate costing for the conference of $7000. He stressed that accommodation forms for conference be compiled and returned to him not later than the 20th February to enable numbers to be confirmed
Letter from Justice Department to Hornby Troop re: Community Service Scheme and introduction of criminal offenders to various organisations with an endeavour to ‘keep them on the rails’. After considerable discussion on this matter and instances being given by various squadrons where this had been tried without success, Colonel Baker indicated that he had communicated this view to the Justice Department, and with many other organisations available for this service in areas to see what other associated services could do regarding this matter.
Legion responsibility to unemployed members – With the economy in its current state it is a fact that members of the Legion will be unemployed. Discussion was held regarding what the Legion could do for members in this position and it was obvious from discussion that units were assisting in whatever way possible in finding alternative employment for their members. Wallis from ‘K’ Troop indicated that they had had one member in this position and he had now established himself in quite a lucrative business in lawn mowing and gardening jobs.
Squadron support to Commanding Officer – Colonel Baker spoke on supporting the Legion activities and the journal by forwarding reports on the various Troops / Squadrons activities and thanked all troops which had supported the journal by forwarding reports during the year.
1984 Conference – After discussion regarding the 1984 Conference and Parade, and the possibility of having the Police trainees / cadets leading the parade into Wellington, it was moved that Colonel Baker have the authority to approach the Police Department to consider acceptance of the proposal for the Police trainees / cadets to assist with the parade - Beardmore ‘L’ / Cameron ‘Z’ - Carried unanimously
Colonel Baker, at this point, recorded thanks to Ross Taylor as Liaison Officer in the Wellington area, for his work in organising the Wellington conference – “True Legion Spirit”.
It was also raised that the Canadian Division of the Legion were considering bringing a contingent to the 1984 Conference, with 30% of their membership consisting of women, what was the conference’s wish regarding allowing women on parade.
After discussion on this matter it was moved that the women all be allowed on parade with the men, and that it would be an honour to have them within the ranks.
At this point Mr Powell of H Troop mentioned that women had been accepted into their unit on advice from Colonel Sampson – this had been established with some 60% of duty and donations coming from this section of the Legion. The time has come when the Legion should be looking into allowing women into the Legion.
Updating of handbook – Capt Fromont [A Squadron] indicated that various sections of the 1976 Handbook should be updated and Colonel Baker indicated that the Headquarters staff were currently looking into this question.
Thanks – Was recorded to Captain Penney for providing one of his men for the funeral service for one of their members by M. Marsh
Shooting trophies and rules – Sgt Maj Sommerville expressed his concern regarding the organising of shooting trophies throughout the troops / squadrons and stressed that all clubs should check their rules vefore commencing trophy shoots. He also made the request that all applications for targets should be in his hands no later than 31 January in each year.
Conference was advised that the Legion had purchased a ceremonial sword which was nearly ready for mounting and display at the Museum and Headquarters generally commented on the requirement of information / photographs / newspaper clippings &c for the museum and the collation of the history of the Legion within New Zealand.
Capitation Fees – Major Bathe was pleased to report that all but one unit had settled their capitation fees for the year.
Colonel Baker regrettably announced the retirement of of David Walker who had served on Headquarters for the past three years. David Walker thanked all members for the help given to him during his term in office.
In closing the conference, Major Bathe read the Declaration of Allegiance with all members at conference, saluted the flag, and conference then closed. Captain Wallis recorded a vote of thanks to the Minutes Secretary for the day.
Conference closed at 3.45 pm
