SOLDIER TO SOLDIER.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16435, 31 January 1919, Page 8

SOLDIER TO SOLDIER.

WELCOME TO BRITON'S MEN. ] J A welcome was extended yesterday, by the Christchurch Branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, to the Christchurch men who arrived by the Briton and the Marama. There was an attendance of "well over two hundred, and the whole function prove<f a very complete success» The rooms of the Association were tastefully decorated with flowers and streamers, and an abundant tea was provided by the members of the Women's National Reserve. Several of the soldiers were accompanied by their wives, while many more were unable to gain admission to the rooms, which,at present are not of very large dimensions.

Mr W. E. Leadley, the secretary of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, presided, and extended a verj hearty weteome to the returned men. Mr Leadley prefaced his remarks by stating that he was welcoming the men home to the country that was, at the present time, the best to live in, New Zealand. (Cries of Hear,Hear! Too right, etc.). The speaker went on to express the hope that all roturning men would become members of the Returned Soldiers' Association. He had found that all men returning of late had wanted to know what the Association was doing for them. In the first place, said Mr Leadley. he himself had come back as a man with three years' service* and had been handed the magnificent sum of 30s by.the Government to secure himself a civilian suit. He had approached a tailor, and found that a waistcoat was about as much as he could expect, and he had been put to the ignominity of borrowing sufficient from a friend to obtain a decent suit of "civies." The efforts of the Returned Soldiers , Association, he went on, had been so successful as to obtain a grant from the Government of £5 5s for civilian clothes for' each re-; turning soldier. Mr Leadley proceeded that when the men of the Second Division went into camp, their wives all received a separation allowance of 3s per 1 day. The Returned Soldiers' Association did, not begrudge that amount —on the contrary they thought that the men deserved it and more —but they did claim that if the Government was going to give 3s per day to Second Division men, they should do the same for tho wives of men who had gone away with tho Main Body and the earlier Reinforcements. .(Applause). They had, jn the finish, wen successful in making the Government realise the justice and fairness of this demand, with the result that men of the earlier bodies would now receive back pay for their whole .period of service, amounting to 3s per day. (Applause). This would mean a nice cheque for some of the men who went ( away earlier in the war. ! Further, Mi- Leadley proceeded, every man who had been to the front was going to receive a bonus—the single man, one week's pay for every 18 weeks of service abroad, and the married man one week for every tnn--, teen weeks. It must- bo remembered, he added, that this concession was obtained from the present Government, and those who had had any dealings with that Government, acknowledged that the Returned Soldiers' Associa-, tions had done welL | Mr Leadley went on to explain that the local clud was now engaged in the question of erecting new club pre- j mises. The members of the club, he ', remarked, now numbered 2000, and; were increasing at the rate of 50 per The speaker concluded that each re-! turned man wouJd find a letter of vrel- j come awaiting him at home, from tne Association, and he hoped that all; would realise that the Returned Sol-1 fliers' Association had justified its existence, and he hoped that in future the promises made by the Government i to the men when they firet enlisted I would be redeemed. (Applause^

The Mayor, Mr H. Holland, came in , during the proceedings, and extended-a very hearty welcome to the returned men on behalf of the citizens of Christ- . church. Hβ expressed regret that the. transport arrangements had interfered! somewhat with the programme, but , added that he and New Zealand were " proud that the men had in France conducted themselves, not only Bβ ._ heroes, but as British gentlemen. (Ap- ', plause.) A corporal from the Briton's com- ' ■ plement briefly returned thanks. "■'. A sumptuous tea was provided by members of the Women's National Rβ- i serve, who were heartily thanked, on - the motion of Mr Leadley, and a first- : ; class musical programme, which nad •v. been arranged bv Mrs W. Wood, ' was • |& given, Mrs Wood being voted a special Ju vote of thanks for her efforts. Amongst; '{!>/ those who contributed were: Mieees '':< Millicent Jennings, Wacfced, and Mit- ' •"■ chell, and Messrs A. L. Cropp and . V. H. McD. Vincent. Miss Jennmge also ; singing a duet with Mr J. H. Cooks. ; Miss L. Booth acted as accompamste. \.v