THE OLD BRIGADE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1136, 25 May 1911, Page 8

THE OLD BRIGADE.

. > ANNUAL GATHERING OF VETERANS, A HAPPY REUNION. Between sixty and seventy veterans, and a few of a younger generation, wero present at the annual social gathering of the Veterans' As.-.ociation at Godber's Rooms last, evening. There were Union Jacks and other emblems of loyalty on the walls, while on the proud breast of most of the fine grey-haired band which sat around the tables glistened the war medals which ore their treasured records of the fastreceding pa.-t, and our reminders of those terrible struggles which w.on for us the

present, peace. Colonel Newall, C.8., life vice-president of the association, presided, Others pre-

sent were the Hon. G. Fowlds (ActiugMinistor for Defence), the Hon. C. M. Luke, Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.. Mr. R. Tingey (vice-president), Major Hume, Captain Edwin, R.N., and Major Macintosh. Apologies for absence wero received from his Excellency the Governor, .the General Officer Commanding, General Godley; Mr. T. M. Wilford (Mavor of Wellington), Col. Collins, 1.5.0., and- the Hon. J'.. Carroll (Acting-Prim© Minister). In a few sympathetic remarks, the chairman referred to the deaths during.the year of three of their number, Messrs. Irvine (a vice-president), M'Cauley, and Captain Hursthousc.

Colonel Newall then proposed the toast of the Army and Navy.

. Captain Edwin, R.N., replied 'briefly on behalf of the Navy, and Major Hume on behalf of the Army. The latter s-aid that.during the next few years it was considered not improbable that our armies would be put to tho crucial test.

The Hon. G- Fowlds (Acting-Minister for Defence) was entrusted with the toast of

"Success to the Veterans' Association." Ho recalled tho early Maori War'days, and said that the present excellent, understanding between the Natives and the whites was evidence of the splendid character of the men w.ho fought in tho wars. (Applause.) Coming to the question of the present -military- equipment, he. said we had grown to recognise that it was a proper thing for every man to learn to defend his country, and, what was more, important still,We had come to see that it was necessary to have all our citizens thoroughly equipped -mid ready for any call that, might be made. Great as had been the praise of the colonial contingents in South Africa, there, was a.little doubt that their services would have vbeen of still greater value had they, in the first instance,, been ' thoroughly and efficiently .trained. It was. well, that the annual gathering of the association was held on Empire Day, because the Empire had been built up by great statesmen, soldiers, and sailors, and on. such an occasion as this brought before us many of these who had, in their younger days, been engaged in the Empire's work. Mr.- Fowlds.went on to refer to his travels over the battlefields of South Africa, and to the respect in which New Zealand and Australian excontingenters now. living there were held. He expressed the hope that the veterans present .would live yet many years. (Applause.! Vicerpresident Veteran R. Tingey, in replying to the toast, briefly outlined his connection with the Veterans' Association. One of the achievements of the association had been tho securing of fitting military funerals for those who passed away. They also had a small hind for members. who were in need. "Some of the old veterans are very proud" said the vice-president, "they won't go to the .benevolent authorities if they can possibly help it; and so we keep this sum of money just to assist the poor old fellows if we discover them in want." (Applause.) Captain Edwin, R-N.. proposed the toast of tho "Parliament, of New Zealand." Replying to the toast, the. Hon. G. Fowlds said that the Government could not please everyone, and it would not be much of a Government if it tried to do so. But it .was certain that when the people of New Zealand thought they could get a better Government they would not hesitate long in making, tho choice. The Hon. C. M. Luke said it was fashionable '.nowadays to .attack tho Second Chamber,; but. he did not _ think any apology was needed for the existence of "the Chamber he represented. There were proposals for a Single-Chamber Government and for an electoral Second Chamber. It was easy to shoot from cover at an object that, could not defend itself. But if tho control of the finance was to be in the hands of two representative bodies (supposing the Second Chamber ticcamc elective), the two would bo contending against one another. An entirely! elective Upper House would also, psrhaps, cause to be eliminated that very (V-draMe element in an Upper Chamber— the. older heads of a community. A Second Chamber was necessary to check hasty legislation, and he upheld the pre-' sent system.

Mr. '.T. P. Lpkc, M.P., also replied. The Rev. D. C. Bates, in a thoughtful speech, proposed the health of tho "Maori Race," the gallant foe of many of tho Veterans present. In. the absence of tho Native Minister, Mr. H. A. W. M'Konzie responded.

Other toasts honoured, were:—"The Mayer, Councillors, and the Wellington Harbour Board," proposed by the Hon. C. M. Luke'and-acknowledged by Councillor G. -Frost; "Visiting .Veterans and Friends," proposed by Veteran G. Purdy. Enioyable vocal items wero contributed by Mr. H. N. Fletcher, Mr. J. Scarle, and Mr: P. Conne.ll, and recitations by Mr. S. Tingey and Major Macintosh.