2nd N.Z.E.F.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 54, 6 March 1945, Page 5

2nd N.Z.E.F.

NEW EX-SERVICEMEN'S ASSN.

TONIGHT'S MEETING

For the purpose of addressing the initial meeting called this evening with the object of forming a branch of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association > 9 Mr E. L. Thwaites j Dominion; pre-? sident, is at present in Whakatane and had an interesting interview with a 'Beacon' representative yesterday. Mr Tfiwaites who has served In both world wars I and II holds some, strong opinions as to the du-* ties of the ex-Digger on his return to civil life. His association, he declares believes in driving home to its members, now numbering 700(), the fact that in undertaking war service tliey have merely done what any decent minded citizen should have done. It is not therefore their prerogative to trade upon their war service as an" everlasting debt to be repaid them by the conn imunity in which .they live. "The returned soldier of the. present war must said Mr Th\vaites ) "that his war service is only the beginning of his service to his fellows in civilian life. He must be prepared to take an active part in the moulding of the better world for which he has fought. He must a2so shoulder the duties of good citizenship in the. same uncomplaining manner in which he faced up to active service conditions. Only by doing these things and thinking these things can the man retumedfrom war expect to r carry on the task which lie. has laid his hand to by taking up arms. Our association firmly believes in inealcating the sense of born of the army life in a civilian capacity. Each member must realse his duty to his country, his fellows and to the future."