Conference Report

The 2006 Conference was a success.  It brought together a committed group of people who confirmed that the battle for monetary reform will continue.

It was a conference with good humour and respect.  There was also some tension around particular issues, fierce debate at times, and the presentation and adoption of a number of well researched remits. The election campaign, the rebuilding of the Party, the plans for the future. I think members can be assured that the issues that needed to be addressed were in fact addressed.

The conference was held at the Pacific Park Hotel in Dunedin, set a little out of town, and ideal conference venue.  All the arrangements ran like clockwork, and we have to thank Bob Warren and his team for magnificent work behind the scene that made everything look simple.

Conference was advised of the following bereavement notices:  Bryant Winsloe 9Invercargill), Ossie Collinson (Invercargill), Tillie Pounsford (Christchurch), Eileen Barclay (Christchurch), Ken Hamilton (Hamilton), Rita Niles (Coromandel).  Conference observed a minutes silence in memory of our colleagues.

Stephnie de Ruyter cogently led us through the event of the last year, the weaknesses the election campaign had exposed, and the fact that under MMP there are now twenty-three registered parties, eight of them in parliament.  There is much to be proud of as well, and much to be done in implementing plans for the next election and beyond.

Probably the most difficult session was the debate around the remit seeking a change of name to “New Zealand Social Credit Party Incorporated”. During the debate, which was at times intense, it was clear that there are those who do not wish to see another name change, and those who passionately seek a return to the name social credit, uncluttered by the word “democrat”.  There were shades in reasoning, and delegates were respectful of each other.  In the event the motion was lost by a substantial margin.  The name remains as “Democrats for Social Credit”.

It is very pleasing to see that we are beginning once again to have contestable elections for Officers in the Party.  I think it’s great that we have people with ambition and a desire to make things happen.  The following people were elected and deserve our congratulations:
                        

President	Neville Aitchison
Vice President	Don Bethune
Leader	Stephnie de Ruyter
Deputy Leader	David Wilson

The conference acknowledged that this year is a call to action, with a focus on Health, Local Government Funding, and Energy.  It will be great to think we can all focus our resources around making an impact in these areas.

It is vital that all members contribute what they can, in time, in signing up new members, in money, and most of all in spreading the message.  As the Leader puts it so directly – poor performance is not acceptable.  The catch cry must be…

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