VALEDICTORY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 7

VALEDICTORY

»——- . Mr. -Tolm I. Fox, the retiring -manage* ,of tho Wellington Returned .Soldiers' Club, was the pest at a function held by returned soldiers at the local club last evening' on the occasion of his departure for England. • Colonel. G. J. Hughes, D.5.0., was in the chair, aiid among others present were Captain W. J. Hardhnm, V.C., Captain A. J. Cross, Director of Organisation, and Mr. J. P. Maxwell, chairman of. the Club Houso Society. Iu proposing tho toast of "Our Guest," Colonel Hughes eulogised tho splendid work Mr. Fox had > done for the club and returned soldiers generally, and stated that lie had been a lower of strength to tho association. Ho then- presented ' Mr. Fox with a handsomely framed illuminated address. Mr, Fox, in reply, thanked the various committees -with which lie 'had been associated, and also-specially thanked the staff of the club,-which had given him so much Assistance—in particular,' Mrs. AY'ilkin, who had given much valuable service to the club. (Applause.) In regard to the' association, Mr. Fox said that the time was comiDg when returned soldiers would have, to realise that theyl were returned 1 soldiers indeed. - They had ' one great aim—tho preservation of thos» ideals which.were, created in Egypt, on' G'allipoli, in France, and elsewhere, Thero would be classss and parties which' would endeavour to solicit the support orreturned soldiers, and lie warned all returned men against any such "fishing." ,Ev,er.v returned 6oldier must be on his guard, and maintain the present unity, of tho association. The Returned Soldiers' Association was not going to support ally party whose leaders never lift' ed a little finger, to help our men to win the war. Nor was the-association going to be associated witli any political party which did not work in the best interests of returned soldiers. Tho new manager (Mr. W. G. Callender) was introduced to tho. gathering and expressed his intention of maintaining- the/ good work which Mr. Fox had accomplished, Musical items wero rendered by Colonel Hughes and .-/Messrs. Alridgej Munro, S. M'Williams,; and others. Mr. Fox leaves, for tho south on Monday night to leaving early 1 in'tfie week for'tlie United Kingdom. t