VETERANS FOREGATHER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 234, 28 June 1921, Page 5

VETERANS FOREGATHER

From Our Own Correspondent.' Palmerston North, June 25. Tho South African War Branch of ths Palmerston North Veterans’ Association held their first reunion on Friday evening, at which there were also present veterans of the Maori anil 1' ranco-I r ussian wars. The chair was occupied by Major J. T. Bosworth, who had besido him Mr. D. Wilbur, Consul-General for. America. . The loyal and patriotic toasts having, been honoured, Mr. B. J. Jacobs, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, in proposing the toast of ‘ The Old Veterans,” said that although many of those present who had taken part in the late war were rather youngi to be termed veterans, if they wore as well as the old veterans present the}* would, be very nnomen indeed. ll© emphasised the tact that tho R.S.A. were just ns anxious to help tho Maori war veterans as they were to assist the South African veterans and were prepared to join them in social, national and Imperial matters. Tho members of the junior brotherhood admired and respected them. _ _ In responding, Major Garner, who is , general secretary of the Maori War Yeterans’ Association, mentioned that during last year 125 Maori xvar veterans had gone West in the Dominion, while the numbers in Palmerston North had now been reduced from 29 to 11. Captain Preece, who is the holder of the New Zealand military war modal, and Mr. Preston, who was sergeantmajor in the Imperial Guards at the time of the Franco-Prussian war, also responded. t I n responding to the toast of Our Guests," Mr. Wilbur spoke eulogistically of the work of the British troops in connection with the late war, and referred to the good work done by the New Zealanders. He was sure that the bonds between Great Britain and America would be further cemented, and he was satisfied that tho Anglo-Saxon races would always come out on top. He concluded by expressing his pleasure at being present, and told soroo very humorous stories. Other toasts honoured were houtll African Veterans,” "Absent Comrades.” and tho “N.Z.E.F.” A very pleasant evening was spent, and sonic interesting incidents wore narrated.