THE REUNION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1820, 5 August 1913, Page 6

THE REUNION.

HIS MAJESTY'S OLD SOLDIERS.

The annual gathering of the Eoyhl New Zealand Association of His Majesty's Veterans was held at Godber's, Cuba Street, last night. Mr. P. \V. Revolt presided. Among those present were his Excellency the Governor (Lord Liverpool), the Prime Minister (Hon. W. P. Massey), tho.Minikter for Defence (Hon. James Allen), the Commandant of the New Zealand Forces (Colonial E. S. Heard),'. Colonel Collins, Colonel Porter, C.8., and Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P. , In proposing the toast of.lds Excellency the Governor, Mr. P. W. Revell mentioned that Lord Liverpool's father had served in the Maori war. Mr. Revell went on to say that the veterans included Mir. H. Walton, 8.N., who saw service in the Baltic in 1854-5-7. , They, had witli tliem, also, men from the Crimea, and men who wore the clasp of Balaclava. 'In reply, his Excellency assured the gathering that his Majesty tlie King took a very deep interest in 'his old soldiers and sailors. ,iHe believed that in New Zealand there • was one—Colonel Baillie— who had seen service as far back as (he thought) 1842. His Excellency wished the veterajis, whom it pave him great pleasure to meet, the very best of luck. "The Army and Navy" was proposed by Major Brandon, and replied to by Colonel E. S. Heard, Commandant of the New Zealand Forces. Colonel Heard said that all knew that the supremacy of the ji?a was all-important to the Empire—it was the chief (lrfence. We were fond of singing "Rule Britannia." Let us eee that Britannia had the ships, and the men, and the wheirewithal. It was not wise to let the Mother.C'orintry bear all the burden; the children should all do their share. (Applause.) The Primo Minister proposed "The Veterans." Mr. Massey said that hp believed that the young New Zealanders wore just as anxious to do their duty by the Empire ns theif forefathers were. But the difference between now and forty and fifty years ago was that' more training was required to-dav than at the time of the Maori War. The citizens, of Australia and New Zealand were doing their best to train an army. He hoped and believed that if trouble came New Zealand would hove a force of its own able and willing to defend the country, and also, if necessary, to assist the Empire by sending a force to the very .centre of operations. Wo should do everything we could to do honour and respect to our veterans; we' should show them that; we appreciated their past services. Not only , that,, ,but we should make provision for thoir declining years. He was glad to say that he had been able to assist in doing, .something in th'e' way of helping to make comfortable the eveninsr of their lives. ..(Applause,). Last year the. Veter.m.V Pensions Act hnd Veen placed on the Statute-book, and he hoped to extend and ainend that measure very shortly. (Applause.) In the. course of his reply to tie toast. Colonel Porter said that the Maoris against whom many of the veterans had fought .werfl trained soldiers. Their system of fortification was wonderful. Tli-» .toast of th<> Territorials was proposed by Mr. C. H. Izard, and responded In l-.y the Hon. James Allen. Mr. H. Walton, R.N.. proposed "The Visitors," and Mr. C. Hickmott responded.