A Tauranga World War II veteran who spent two years with Bomber Command fighting in the skies over Europe has accused the RSA of becoming politicised by the flag debate.
Lindsay Budge, 95, said the New Zealand RSA had always been a non-political organisation and it had no right to enter the current political debate on whether to change the country's flag. This week he put his views to the RSA's national president BJ Clark.
Mr Budge said he had never been surveyed on his views and did not expect to be surveyed.
Mr Budge, the past-president and life member of the Pukekohe RSA said it was a myth that servicemen fought and died fighting for the current flag. "We fought to survive and retain our freedom."
He said it was a disgrace that the New Zealand RSA had spent $20,000 on the flag campaign. "The flag debate is nothing new. It has been on the table for decades, with political parties of all persuasions over the years calling for change."
Mr Clark responded that the RSA was apolitical but it had to have an opinion, otherwise people would see it as not doing its duty. The expectation was that the RSA would lead the fight to retain the current flag.
The flag debate is nothing new. It has been on the table for decades, with political parties of all persuasions over the years.
He said his role was to represent the voice of the RSA. When Prime Minister John Key announced there would be flag referendums, Mr Clark asked RSA district presidents to canvas member opinions and come back with a rough idea of where people stood.
It was clear even then that members were strongly in favour of retaining the current flag, with only one person at his Papanui RSA's main club night not supporting the current flag, he said.
Since then there had been a national meeting involving 300 members at which only 10 indicated they did not support the RSA's position.
Mr Clark said the RSA had been particularly careful because of the thin line between having an opinion and politicising. The RSA was disappointed the flag debate was taking place during the WW100 commemorations.
He said it was often quoted that a fern and not the flag was on New Zealand war graves headstones, but the fact was that no country inscribed flags on their soldiers' headstones.
"I feel confident that the overwhelming majority of members back the current flag."
Tauranga RSA assistant manager Athol Feek said members were polled at the club's AGM and the overwhelming response was not to change the flag. This was taken to the national conference.
Mount Maunganui RSA general manager Andrew Buenter said no poll had been taken of members but his general conversations indicated that a lot of members did not understand why the flag process was taking place when they were comfortable with the status quo. The club had many associate members who were open to debating the issues.