Stratford RSA members put halt to merger talks

THE biggest Stratford RSA members' meeting since anyone can remember last night voted resoundingly to suspend merger talks with the Stratford Club.

The vote was 70 for and 56 against the suspension resolution, which directs the executive committee not to sign anything that might commit the RSA to a merger.

At a further special meeting, the executive will brief the members on merger issues raised, before a vote is taken whether to proceed.

Last night's meeting was called by 30 members who had declared the September pro-merger ballot unconstitutional.

President Bruce Huckstep produced some startling statistics: although the RSA has 349 registered members, it has a $55,000 mortgage, a $15,000 overdraft, unpaid accounts of $21,000, is losing ground trying to manage monthly debits of $13,900 and is facing a compulsory gaming machines upgrade of $70,000.

He said members were failing to use the premises, noting that only 52 attended the last $500 cash draw. He feared the bank could foreclose at any time and said a merger was essential for the branch's survival.

But national RSA vice-president Kevin Holley, a Stratford resident, said branches owing as much as $440,000 had been rescued in the past by the national body.

He said the club and association could flourish with the right management skills.

A Taranaki Electricity Trust meeting only hours earlier had decided to defer consideration of a Stratford Club request for $455,000 to begin its building redevelopment to accommodate the RSA.

TET member Ken Bedford said no money should be given until the two clubs stopped feuding.