THE PIONEERS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18893, 7 January 1927, Page 8

THE PIONEERS.

♦ ! MAORI WAR VETERANS. (PRESS AgSOCIATZO* TBLSQRAH.) HASTINGS, January 6. Maori War veterans entertained Sir Douglas McLean at the annual social and reunion yesterday. The chairman, Mr W. Y. Dennett, in proposing Sir Douglas's health, alluded to his devoted war service in England during the four years of the war. As became aworthy son of a worthy sire, he always worked for tho Maori War veterans. He had been instrumental in securing for them old age pensions, in addition to their military pensions. No one was more worthy of the honour done him by the King than Sir Douglas. Replying to the toast, Sir Douglas said his only regret was that the late Major Gascoyne had not received from the authorities the New Zealand Cross so well deserved. There was a tendency in New Zealand to forget these pioneers, whose pluck, sacrifice, and endurance had laid the foundation of the country's prosperity. The colonisation of New Zealand was one of the greatest episodes in history for individual pluck and enterprise, and the memory of the pioneers' devotion should be kept in tho. minds of tho rising generation to inspire them to live up to the standard set by their enterprise. determination, endurance and sacrifice.