SOLDIERS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2672, 19 January 1916, Page 6

SOLDIERS' CLUB

FORMAL OPENING CONGRATULATIONS & GOOD WISHES There was an atmosphere of bustling activity yesterday afternoon at the Returned Soldiers' Club, which, by tho way, is domiciled in Star Chambers, Lanibton Quay, facing Grey Street. The occasion was the formal opening of the club. Not a fortnight has elapsed since the resolution was passed to found the club and yet the returned soldier has now ready to his hand all the solid comforts and conveniences that one associates with club life. The club owes its existence to Captain Donald Simpson. The history, of what led . , ® foundation of tlio club and .tho mission it is cxpected to fulfil were set out in The Dominion on Friday last. At the same time a description appeared of the premises in which the club is housed. There was a large gathering -of guests at the club yesterday afternoon to take part in tile opening ceremony. This took place in a commodious and wen lighted and _ vi&ttlated noma on the first floor which it was explained would be the scene of what future hospitality the club_ decided on occasion to dispense to civilian guests. On, the same floor are the "cook-house" (where light refreshments are to be had), and the office, and on the floor above is a sitting-room and cloak-room. Among those present, yesterday were the Mayor (Mr._ J. P. Luke) and Mrs. Luke, the Minister of Defenco (the Hon. J. Allen), and Mrs. Allen, and Mrs. Massey. The Infanoy of tho Club. Captain Donald Simson explained that free membership of the club was open to all returned soldiers. Nurses would be honorary members, as would also officers, although they couldi take no part ■ in tho management of 1 the club. The gentlemen who had agreed to act as trustees were Messrs. A. Gray, C. R. Smith, J. Simson, and J. Macintosh. By their conduct in tho club the public would judge the returned soldiers,, hut he felt no anxiety about the matter himself. Between twonty and thirty people had promised to subscribe £1 per month for twelve months. This would keep them going but, of course, he wanted further subscriptions as these would hold out the prospect of more commodious premises. There_ would also, no doubt, be cash donations to the fund. They had received assistance in the matter of the club furnishings. Many kind-hearted ladies, some the mothers of lads at the front, had become interested in the movement and had presented them with chairs, for instance. A Memorial to Anzac. It was his intention, continued Captain Simson,, to make an appeal to the public later for more funds for a larger building, to stand, it might be, as a memorial to Anzac. He Loped to establish clubs all over New ;Zealand which would work in conjunction with one another. The club would be f he absolute property of -the returned soldiers. He had taken the premises for six months, and'one month's rent had been paid, and ho had opened a banking account, paying in £5 which Mr. Tripp had sent him as a donation. The Minister of Internal Affaire, the Hon. G. W. Russell, had writton, declaring that the club would fulfil a most useful purpose in providing recreation and entertainment for the returned soldiers. Mr. Field wrote stating that he would like to see a branch established in Nelson, and that he was afraid tho returned soldiers would not get full justice from the Government or the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund unless they combined and wore able to speak for themselves. Mr. Cooper, S.M., had written expressing his good wishes. A piano had been presented by the Bristol Company for the duration of the war. He had every confidence in the future of the club, which he was sure would serve a good purpose. (Applause.) Minister's Good Wishes. The Minister of Defence said he regarded these, soldiers' clubs as an absolnte necessity. The club had been started under auspicious circumstances, and ho thought they were lucky that Captain Simson had devoted his energies to the movement. It was interesting to find that there were men who would make considerable sacrifices in'the interests of returned soldiers. A responsibility rested' on the returned men, but he did not think they oould do without the assistance of the public, and he knew of no more worthy object than a club ,of ■this kind run upon good sound lines. If the soldiers' club showod the right spirit it would have a leavening effect throughout tho ranis of the returned soldiers. That was what they would like these

clubs to do. If the men set an examplfc it would be followed, and a very valuable work would have been started. He' wished the club succoss, and lio hoped every returned soldier would become a member. He also hoped that the trustees, who were responsible citizens and worthy of their respect, would find tlicy had available for the ehib all the funds they required. The conduct of the returned soldiers ho was eure would he to ■the honour of themselves and gain tho respect of everyone. He hoped ail the clubs would become affiliated, and thus represent a community of interest throughout New Zealand. Ho thanked thorn for the splendid effort they had made to help the returned soldiers, and whatever assistance he could render ■ would be readily given. (Applause.) Ho apologised for the absence of the Prime Minister, who was visiting the Canter, bury district. Mayor's Congratulations. The Mayor congratulated Captain Simson upon, the foundation of the club. There had been a necessity for a' Soldiers' Club, and it was fitting that the work of establishing it should bo undertaken by a sokKer who had himself done good work in the trenches. 1 They were therefore under an obliga» tion to Captain Simson, and the committee who had been working with him in this matter. He was pleased to be present that afternoon to extend to the returned soldiers the right hand of fellowship, on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. (Applause.) One useful function the club would serve would' be that of enabling employers to gci | into touch with returned soldiers who [.had been discharged, and were in search of work. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., said he was convinced that there would be no difficulty in raising funds not only for the very compact and complete institution, but for tha extending of their' schomd if they s« desired. ' He himself would give fivt guineas with tl(e greatest pleasuro. (Applause.) Mr. A. L. D. Fraser said that whila congratulating Captain Simson on the formation of the club, he wished ha could similarly congratulate the people of Wellington. They cheered the men who went to fight their battles foi them whilo they remained at home. What did they do for the soldier when ho returned? (Applause.) They had done nothing. Many of the soldiers who returned had no parents, and were without a home or sanctuary of any kind. And the hotel had reaped' tha benefit. They should call a public meet* ing and v demand the money should ba given to them, and he guaranteed thai within a month or three weeks they would have an institution that would bo an honour to them, and_ as onfl speaker had phrased it, a fitting memorial to Anzac. Captain Simson paid a tribute to th« excellent work the ladies had dbne at the Soldiers' Club in Sydney Street, but of course it did not answer the purpose that the Returned Soldiers' CM would fulfil. Refreshments were then handed round to the visitors, who subsequently had an opportunity of_ looking over the club. Musical contributions were given during the afternoon by Madame Anderson. '