JOHNSONVILLE SOLDIERS
WELCOMED BY THE COMMUNITY. Last evening tho residents of Johnsonvillo paid homage to those of the community who were toturned ' eollUftvs by tendering to them a banquet which was held in Mooro Bros.' Hall, which was decorated with flaga and foliage. The function proved a. liugo success. ' There was an attendance of about oflO returned soldiers and friends, tho Rov. ¥■ Yi. Pch'ie presiding. Those present included Brigadier-General Richardson, C.M.G., and Mrs. .Richardson, Major P. Betliuiw, Captain H. V. Howard, Lieutenant Dunbar Sloane, Messrs R. A. Wi'i', r kt, M.P., and F. T. Moore, and tho Revs. C. H. Isaacson and W. Rowc.
In proposing the toast of the Navy and the Army Mr. Mooro paAd a most eloquent tribute to the soldiers and Bailors of tho Empire for their glorious deeds of heroism and reinnrked that tho present occasion wne the opportunity to joyfully celebrate the victory of England and her allies. In dealing with the problem of national peaco the speaker said that thoso persons who claimed that tho lato war was tho last war were wrong. It wis essential that an army should- bo maintained by tho British Empire. A great army was unnecessary, but a skeleton army headed by such men as Briga-dier-Gei'Oral Richardson was essential. (Applause.) Ho referred to the work of the New Zealanders iu Palestine and in France and the ehiiro tho , Dominion's troops hnd taken in tho smashing of tho Ilindenburg line. Now that peace had been won he hoped that all the returned soldiers would unite in their efforts to bring about a real peaco in their country and do their part to ensure that every worker would' be equitably treated. (Applause.) In reply, General Richardson said that Mr. Mode's intention was to inculcate Into the community tho idea of the iniportanuo of sea power. The foundation of the Empire was sea power, and although (ho Army had dono eo much it was known that the Navy had lx;en the foundation of jit all. It was the organisation of tho Navy which enabled the New Zealand troops to lxi transported so many thousands of miles without a loss. He , ■wanted everyone to realiso that the centra of gravity had shifted over to tho Pacific, and it was important that ovoryono should realise this in all seriousness. In talking of the British Navy and of tho Army one had to romember that it was an Empire Army and an Empivo Navy, and ho desired overyone to realise this, for the reason that in New Zealand some people were likely to loso their perspectivth-they were likely to magnify the efforts lo tho. N.Z.E.F. After all, New Zealand 'only did its share, but that share ivas equal to, if not greater than, any other Dominion. In conclusion tho Geueral took tho opportunity of thanking the patriotio societies for what they had done for tho New Zealand soldiers. (Loud cheers.)
The toast of "Our llUes" was proposed by Mr. R, A. Wright, M.P., who referred to the qualities of the fighting nations, including the valour of the Irish ami the Scots. Tho British characteristic of fair play Hiad heon instilled iu the minds of her Allies, and they stood together in a splendid and olenn fight against the tactics of tho "devils."
■ The chairman responded briefly in tho absence of Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., who was engaged elsewhere. "Out' Returned Soldiers" woe proposed bv the chairman. H<3 claimed that the Government could not do enough for returned soldierg, and he applauded Hie efforts to satisfactorily repatriate the men. The- New Zealanders had not onlv fought well, but they had conducted themselves well when out. o£ the line on leave. They were gentlemen in tbe trupst of the word. Lieutenant Dunbar Sloane responded. Other loasts honoured were: Our Soldiets' Relatives" and "The Ladies." Tho arrangements were in chnrpe of Mr. R.- Wills (secretnr.v) assisted by a Wsre committee of Indies and gentlemen. Those ladies who assisted in the evenings pnißfi'amnio were: Misses M'Dnvit «N, Bryant. Bramlov, Tunl»v Orr, Pittpvson. Wallace. Watson. Willinnis .Tingle. Walt, Bon-lei'. Bowls, and Neills (2), The remainder of the ovoning was devoted to dancing.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 7
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694JOHNSONVILLE SOLDIERS Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 54, 27 November 1919, Page 7
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