11 July 2005

National President's Address to the National Council 2005

National President John Campbell's Opening Address to the 89th National Council Annual General Meeting.

This last year has been a very busy year for the RNZRSA. We embarked on a change process that will have far reaching positive results for us in the future. We were involved, often to a very significant degree, in a number of major commemorative events of national importance. A number of external influences, which we were required to meet, impacted on us, and we have been required to meet these influences or challenges. We have achieved considerable success and progress in our welfare and health support areas, and we reinforced our relevance and importance as an organisation of influence.

Much of which I wish to report on is contained within my President’s Report in the RNZRSA 2005 Annual Report. I would urge that you ensure that this report receives wide circulation amongst your associations.

Some of the matters I reported on deserve further emphasis and explanation. This is what I will seek to do now.

Over the past 18 months the RNZRSA has been taking a close look at itself. We needed to consider the lessons of our near 90-year history to learn what we have done well and what could be improved. We needed to understand modern New Zealand, and what that means to us as an organisation. We have asked ourselves some hard questions, and we have consulted widely. We established and conducted an Independent Review of wide sweep and scope — and we have, and will, make a number of changes to the way we organise ourselves and the way we operate.

We will not of course, lose sight of our intrinsic values, traditions and heritage — we will hold fast to them — but we will place them in a contemporary framework.

With such a large, disparate membership such as we have, bringing people together, or committing to change can sometimes be hard. But that is the challenge the RSA faces so that it can maintain its relevancy, so that it can be seen as a contemporary organisation that not only holds onto its founding ethos and objectives — but builds on them. And so that it can be seen as an organisation worth joining and belonging to.

Accepting and committing to change was a thread running through this last year. This Council will hopefully set the seal on our change desires, and set the path ahead.

You, the delegates at this Conference carry the votes of the membership — you will have the final say on the progress of change through the remits you will consider and vote on. Your decisions will define the road map that will guide our actions and initiatives over the next several years — a period of transition in which we need to consolidate our aims for the future.

Vote wisely and consider the future.

I would now like to turn to our veteran community — specifically our ageing World War Two veterans.

The number of frail, aged veterans is increasing, and will continue to do so over the next decade.

RNZRSA believes a most urgent and important task facing us is to provide more assistance to this group.

Addressing this need will allow the nation to better address the debt it owes its elderly veterans. Merely ensuring that these veterans die out with dignity — the "we will remember them" philosophy — is a most melancholy response to the debt owed to those who have been instrumental in shaping us as a nation. It is not possible to repay this debt in full — this debt cannot be paid back — however, we can renew our subscription, and pay the debt forward.

And to that end, we would ask Government to help us in this area. We wish to provide more support to our Second World War veterans; we would wish to assist them in every way possible in their twilight years.

The nation owes them this — so does the RSA.

A fitting recognition of them and their service, and to recognise closure on World War Two, would be for the Government to declare next year the "Year of the Veteran".

Such a decision would assist in promoting an understanding of the significance of the contribution and sacrifice of all New Zealand veterans.

Throughout this commemorative year, New Zealanders could actively remember, honour, celebrate and learn about the service and sacrifice of our veterans. In doing so we would be following Australia and Canada in the declaration of a Year of the Veteran.

The coinciding of the Year of the Veteran with the 90th anniversary of the RSA movement would be an appropriate endorsement of veterans’ service to the nation. RNZRSA will shortly propose formally to Government that 2006 be declared the Year of the Veteran.

It is our obligation as an organisation to ensure that all of those who have been put in harms way in the nation's interests are treated properly and fairly.

We should also attempt to ensure that those young people our Government puts in harms way, are well trained, well equipped, well supported, and that they are clear in their minds about the mission of the operations they embark on.

We must ensure that the stress and strain on both them, and the families they leave behind, is as minimal as possible - and we must ensure that when they do return home, any damage to their body or mind is recognised, and properly cared for.

New Zealand veterans will continue to have concerns at the unknown long-term effects of exposure to hazardous material and environments during overseas deployments. RNZRSA would wish to ensure that with respect to recent and future deployments, adequate protocols exist to ensure complete and accessible copies of medical records are maintained, and are available — and that where there is a suspicion or a certainty that recent or future veterans are, or have been exposed to environmental or other unforeseen hazards — that this issue be dealt with immediately — not some 30 years later.

We should be reminded of this quotation from George Washington:

The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by the Nation.

War Pensions Act 1954

This tried and tested "good act" was first introduced over 50 years ago. Whilst it has been constantly amended, it fails to recognise properly, modern service issues, modern New Zealand, and the changing nature of our overseas deployments.

It is an Act that has served us well.

RNZRSA is aware that it is planned to re-draft the Act. As the body that represents the great bulk of veterans in this country, RSA insists that it be consulted and involved in this redrafting process.

This will assist in allaying any perceptions that any re-draft will change the fundamental philosophy and ethos of the Act. RSA will be prepared to die in the trenches if such an intention did exist.

We would wish to have, as we have had in the past, active involvement in this issue.

Defence

I would now like to turn to the matter of National Defence.

National Council 2003 resolved that an RNZRSA defence policy statement should be prepared. This call came from ordinary RSA members who were concerned about the state of New Zealand's Defence Forces and Defence Policy direction.

The RSA draws its members from all sectors of New Zealand society. Because this would be an institutional statement, representing the RSA movement as a whole, it was seen from the outset that the membership should be given full opportunity to participate. Accordingly it was written in consultation with members the length and breadth of the country.

This was not to be a prescriptive document, nor was it to be a critique of any particular part of the political spectrum. It was RNZRSA's wish to rise above politics. The objective was simply to create a study aimed at highlighting the concerns of those members of New Zealand society who have been at the implementation end of defence policy.

The intent was not to castigate - but to raise awareness of defence policy issues, and to spark informed debate and discussion about all aspects of the defence of New Zealand.

The RSA believes New Zealanders deserve, and need, to be better informed about the defence policy process, the forces we deploy, how they are utilised, why they exist, and the costs. The RSA believes that the development of defence policy has become unnecessarily opaque and that successive governments have failed to consult citizens adequately. The once pragmatic, broadly bipartisan approach to defence policy formulation appears to the RSA, to have broken down and we believe this is itself an issue that deserves debate.

We of course cannot deny that our statement has political connotations, because it is about the allocation and prioritisation of the nation's resources. But it is not party political, because the subject transcends party politics and goes to the heart of nationhood and our place in the world.

The final document was published on 4 May 2005 as a booklet titled Defending New Zealand: A Statement by the RNZRSA.

Defending New Zealand broadly signalled concern with two main issues — the state of defence policies and purposes, and the state of defence funding.

On the eve of our launch, the Government announced a large funding package called the Defence Sustainability Initiative or DSI. The additional funding is of course applauded. But it is a standstill package only. The DSI has no implications of policy review or capability extension. You will hear more about this in the next couple of days. For now, suffice it to say that both the amount and the time frame confirm beyond doubt our long-standing contention that the New Zealand Defence Force has been systematically under-funded for many years past.

We as a group may be challenged about assuming the right to make a public statement on Defence, and the right to be taken seriously. The answers to these questions are blindingly obvious, however.

We therefore ask the Government to accept the honesty of our position and, even though our view and theirs might not coincide, to understand our desire to encourage informed discussion on defence issues. After all, robust discussion and the freedom to express reasoned viewpoints are hallmarks of a healthy democracy.

Much more can, and will be said, about Defending New Zealand. In the meantime, as your property it is achieving its aim in receiving wide public, media, political and academic comment - the majority of which positively acclaims it. Defending New Zealand is a powerful document, and all members of the RSA should be proud of it.

Membership

The peak membership of the RSA was in 1947, just post World War Two, and it stood a just over 142,000. There was a slow decline until the 1980s when the increasing mortality rate of our elderly veterans began to tell. In 1986 we bottomed out at 92,000.

Today I can report that our December 2004 membership figures show that we have again risen to our 1947 peak of 142,000 members.

Our Associate membership is fast approaching the 50% level of our total membership. At the time of the introduction of the Associate membership category (1992) it was seen as the first step in a series of steps which would ultimately result in the total integration of all categories of membership. We must carry this intention forward.

Both at National and local level there is the acceptance that there is a need to plan carefully for the ultimate handing over of management and control to the younger members, who in turn must accept the responsibility for maintaining the ideals and traditions of the RSA and ensure that they carry the organisation and the responsibilities that entails, into the future.
We are seeing a generational change in our leadership. We all recognise that this is a transition that needs sensitive and careful handling.

We are however not an organisation in decline - our membership base shows that.

Licensed and Recreational Facilities and Activities

The 10th of December 2004 was a milestone date in New Zealand, in that it signalled the prohibition of smoking in licensed premises, including RSAs.

RNZRSA made strong representations on this issue.

Whilst it was claimed that “smoke-free” would attract many who had stayed away from the pubs and clubs because of the incidence of smoke, in reality that cannot generally be claimed as having happened.

In fact many RSAs are experiencing a downturn in turnover. We hope that this is a temporary aberration and that after a period of adjustment things return to normal. It must not be forgotten that a significant amount of RSA revenue generated through Club activities is returned directly to the welfare of veterans.

As well, the Gambling Act 2003 has imposed some rather stringent conditions on sites where gaming machines are operated. Again much of the available profit from these activities flow directly to the welfare of our membership.

The RSA Clubrooms provide the focal point for the social, sporting and welfare activities of many thousands of our members.

Because of this, RNZRSA will vigorously oppose any restrictions on our Club activities that impinge negatively on our ability to provide a safe, warm social environment for our membership, and our ability to generate funding that is used for our welfare purposes. The suggestion that all gaming machine profit be centrally controlled and disbursed, is an issue that RNZRSA will oppose strongly.

International Affairs

This year, at the Triennial Conference of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League in Ottawa, 47 Nations were represented.

The League has the objective of ensuring that no ex-Commonwealth serviceperson shall be without help if in need.

RNZRSA has played an active part in the operation of the League since its inception — and in turn the League has assisted New Zealand ex-service personnel living in various parts of the world.

RNZRSA accepts its responsibilities as a Founding Member of the RCEL, not only at a local and national level, but also at an international level. One of these responsibilities is to assist regional veterans and veterans’ organisations.

Our regional assistance activities have over the past several years been limited — principally to the provision of administrative assistance and guidance, some equipment gifting and to providing for reciprocal visits to enhance understanding, and some limited training assistance.

Of course we would wish to do much more, and it is our intention to place some focus on assisting veterans and veteran's organisations within our immediate Pacific region.

During New Zealand's involvement in both World Wars, and in more recent operations, many Pacific Islanders have served with the New Zealand Forces or supported them.

Many paid the ultimate sacrifice — some of our war cemeteries bear witness to this.

We are hopeful that with some Government assistance we will have the opportunity over the next several years to repay in some small way the debt we owe our Pacific Island veterans.

We would, in making a proposal for such assistance to Government, point out that mature, effective veterans’ organisations can act as a stabilising influence in society, on youth, and for a nation.

I would report that recently I have received a positive and encouraging response on this issue from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The impact and aftermath of the Tsunami, whilst not directly affecting our region, further brought home to the RSA the need to assist fellow veterans in other areas. The RNZRSA made a significant donation — some $30,000 to the New Zealand Red Cross to directly assist Tsunami victims, many of course would be veterans.

2005 — Taking Stock

Firstly I would like to deal with some external issues that had a bearing on, or impact on the organisation and the membership.

It is here that I would wish to acknowledge the contribution this Government has made in certain Veterans’ Affairs areas, and in the matter of Commemoration and Remembrance.

I would also wish to publicly acknowledge the Prime Minister’s leadership and interest in these matters and initiatives.

For some 69 years, the RSA has been seeking the return of our Unknown Warrior. Many previous Governments were lobbied to bring this project to fruition without success. We acknowledge with gratitude the Prime Minister’s leadership and the government’s actions in finally returning our Unknown Warrior to lie in the soil of his homeland.

This was a historic, some might say defining moment in recognising all those who have served the nation and paid the ultimate sacrifice. To the Prime Minister and the Government, you have allowed the RSA to achieve a much-cherished goal. We thank you.

This April of course we celebrated the 90th anniversary of the landing at ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli. This was a special occasion on which we reflected on the courage, the determination, the resilience and the sacrifice of those original ANZACs. The involvement of young New Zealanders, both in the ceremonies and as part of the some 20,000 people who stood at Gallipoli, was a compelling indication that our young New Zealanders will not forget. And of course, here in New Zealand, we saw further confirmation on ANZAC Day that they will not be forgotten. Large attendances, highlighted by the number of young people, show that Kiwis respect the memory.

Recent announcements from the Government further indicate a serious concern and involvement in remembrance and commemorative matters. The veterans groups visiting Casino, Gallipoli, the VE Announcement and the veteran delegation to commemorate the end of the war in the Pacific are acknowledged with gratitude.

The Shared Memories Agreement entered into with France will enable us, the RSA, to play an active part in keeping these essential memories alive. We are planning to do this.

The RSA is also grateful to Government for the announcements concerning funding for the very necessary enhancement of the National War Memorial; the Memorial to recognise the Kiwi contribution in the Korean War, and funding to assist in the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s major re-development programme. We are also grateful for the recognition of our ability to play a role in the important project related to the New Zealand Memorial in Hyde Park Corner in London.

But we might ask the Government a question related to museums and memorials. The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Museum in Waiouru houses a national treasure trove of displays related to our proud heritage and military history. The question is — why in the Government’s positive attitude toward funding memorial and commemorative events, was some funding not made available to this national museum? It is, as we all know, embarking on an essential maintenance and development project — yet it would seem no public funding is being made available to assist it. To the Government, the RSA would say - we would think, that because of its role and place in our national museum framework, that some government funding should be provided to assist this wonderful facility.

Let me now turn to the 30-year old saga of Agent Orange. After some thirty years of denial, this Government has finally accepted that New Zealand Vietnam veterans were exposed to Agent Orange - and that this exposure has had a significantly damaging impact on many of them, concerning their health, and the health of their children.

RNZRSA and the Vietnam veterans’ organisations have fought for some twenty five years to have this situation recognised.

The Government has moved quickly on the findings of the Select Committee, and a Government Joint Working Group on Agent Orange has been established. This group includes Government, EVSA and RNZRSA representatives and will be enhanced to include VANZ representatives and others.

The Joint Working Group is now working toward establishing the process for reconciliation, and to recommend to Government tangible outcomes related to veterans and their families.

We are pleased with progress to date. Of course, actions speak louder than words, and we, the RNZRSA and EVSA await the outcomes before passing final judgement.

It is our expectation however, that finally, after thirty shameful years, the Agent Orange issue in New Zealand will be brought to satisfactory closure.

What of the Future

We have achieved much during our 89th year. Next year is a signal year for the RSA.

Next year our organisation reaches a milestone — its 90th Anniversary. This will be a proud year for a proud organisation.

It will provide us with the opportunity to renew with vigour, our commitment to veterans and to the nation as a whole.

Our commitment to our veterans and the perpetuation of Remembrance has not wavered, and remain as our priority roles.

We must continue to struggle for enhanced benefits for New Zealand veterans, old and new — we must continue this goal with the same tenacity we have used in the past.

There is much to be done. During my term as President it has been re-affirmed to me that the RSA is alive and flourishing - it is certainly not an organisation in decline. It is a respected voice, and it is our forward task to ensure that it remains so.

We have many friends and supporters outside our organisation. We must continue to be active, and public, in issues that impact on us — we must not resile from this. People and organisations are interested in our views. We must not be reticent or apologetic for any views we express on matters of interest to us.

So the RSA will speak out when and where necessary on such issues — and when required we will be strong on such issues.

We have some significant challenges ahead. We must become a more embracing and inclusive organisation. We must come to grips with the changing nature and balance of our membership. We must continue to explore ways to better our income stream to enable us to continue the welfare support so desperately needed by our veterans.

We must work toward building our membership base — and we must ensure that the RSA remains visible to all New Zealanders.

We must bring our 16,000 strong Women's Section wholly into the organisation.

We must make contributions to our community, rather than be seen as a group merely drawing resources from that community

We will need to assist some of our smaller Associations in their battle for survival.

We need to maintain the voice of the RSA at national level on matters vital to us as an organisation.

We should not die in the trenches if the substantial majority of Kiwis approve of certain change. We must show that we do understand modern New Zealand. Yet we must hold onto and value those intrinsic values and objectives on which our organisation was based.

We must continue to strive to overcome the small but existing residual perception that we represent outmoded values. Our values will never become outmoded in a free, democratic society such as ours. Our values of comradeship, helping each other, caring for the future of the nation, encouraging service, encouraging youth in their endeavours, maintaining our heritage through commemoration and remembrance — and representing the fair views of those who have served their nation.

These are timeless values — these are our values.

In closing I would wish to pay some tributes.

In my address I have paid tribute to the Prime Minister and her Government. We are provided with ready access to ministers, their officials and have the opportunity to present our case - long may this be the case.

We have been successful in doing so, in a number of areas, and the results are evident. We are grateful for the courtesy with which we are received, and grateful for the outcomes we have achieved.

I would however say to this Government, and the next Government, whilst much has been achieved — we see the job as being only half done. There is much yet to achieve. We have issued a number of challenges to Government, and there are a number of outstanding issues that need resolution.

I remind Government of our 10 Point Welfare Manifesto and our expectations. I also challenge the incoming Government whoever it might be — to continue with the good work and achievements — our veterans deserve no less.

I would wish to pay tribute to the National Executive Committee. This is a good team, widely representative of the membership and it has faced some significant challenges over the past year. You should be pleased with your NEC's performance. But just as I challenged the political leadership of the country — I so challenge the incoming NEC — the job is but half done.

I wish to pay tribute to the Chief Executive and his staff. Pat, under trying circumstances this past year, you have provided NEC and me with outstanding support. Your wise counsel has been invaluable. You have led the Head Office team in a manner I applaud.

I would pay tribute to those involved in the production of the new RSA Review. I say — a difficult challenge well met, a job well done.

I would pay tribute to the Chairmen and members of our various working Committees. They work hard and well for you. The organisation is indeed fortunate to have such diligent, thoughtful individuals working on your behalf. All Committees this past year have made major contributions.

I would wish to pay tribute to our departing Immediate Past President, David Cox. Much has been said, and will be said about David's service to the RSA. David has provided me with a great source of wisdom and advice and I have much appreciated it.

I would wish to pay tribute to two organisations that serve this nation so well.

Firstly the Defence Force. Our present day servicemen and women uphold without question the standard, the pride and the skill of all those who have gone before them. They are well led and are most capable. The RSA and the nation can be proud of those who wear the uniform of our Defence Force.

The heritage is in great hands.

And secondly the New Zealand Police Force. Under trying and often almost impossible circumstances, the men and women in blue, perform their tasks with little public gratitude or understanding.

We of course welcome members of the Police Force as members of the RSA — but more importantly, they need to recognise that we support them, and greatly appreciate their efforts in maintaining law and order in our country. We are with you.

I would wish to pay tribute to the Director of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and her staff. We have common objectives and in working together we can achieve much. Your efforts are widely acknowledged.

For my part, I am proud, humble and honoured to have been your National President for the past twelve months. I was conscious of you expectations, and conscious of the challenges we face. I trust my efforts on your behalf have been well directed, and the outcomes are those that you wanted. I thank every association throughout the country, their Presidents and their Executives, and their membership for the outstanding support I have received this past year.

Related Links

Prime Minister's Address to National Council
www.beehive.govt.nz

Leader of the Opposition's Address to National Council
www.national.org.nz

In Brief
National President's Opening Address to the 2005 National Council AGM
(30k PDF document)