Visit of General SIr A. H. Russell.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 February 1922, Page 1

Visit of General Slr A. H. Russell.

ARRIVAL AT HOKITIKA. General Sir Andrew Russell and party arrived in Hokitika last evening at (1 o’clock and were met on arrival at Keller’s Hotel by the Mayor and Councillors, Returned Soldiers and others and a good muster of school children. AT THE TOWN HALL. RECEPTION AND ADDRESSES. At 7.30 o’clock the Town Rand headed a procession of Returned Soldiers, who with Sir Andrew Russell and his party, at their head marched to' the Town pat( where a civic reception was tendered to the visitors. There was. a very large attendance of ladies and gentlemen present, the Hall bring well filled, a good number of Returned Soldiers being included. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry 0.8. E.) presided and there were on t e platform General Sir Andrew Russi.il, Rev Wa’lker (President), Mr W. Leadley (Secretary) and Mr 11. .). Knight (member of the Executive) of the Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association. Hon If. L. Michel, Air B. Ward (County (lisirnan), Mr H. *i. Coulson (Deputy Mayor), and Air C. J. T\ Sellers (President of the Hokitika Returnee! Soldiers’ Association). THE V!RJT°P.S WELCOMED

Air Perry said they had a distinguish ed visitor that evening, in •Central Sir Andrew Russell, whom it was an honor and pleasure to welcome to the district. They knew he had been in command of the New Zealand division in the late war. We of this district know him veil and know that he has done signal service to his country. The men who served their country deserved well of -.he citizens and they v mild always honor and recognise the great services f'ey had rendered in the great struggle. He welcomed Sir Andrew on behalf of the citizens generally to Hokitika and trusted that his say here would bo a pleasant one. He assured him and the members of bis party that their welcome was a warm and sincere one. Air 13. Ward (County Chairman) said

he had very much pleasure on behalf of tho people of AVcstland in joining in the welcome to Sir Andrew Russell, who j had done such signal and valuable ser-

vice to the country in the recent war. It was to men like Sir Andrew that they owed their gratitude. He was glad to know that their men had such a leader to follow, and the high esteem and good feeling shown, by them proved that their General had proved worthy of that esteem. He was very glad to be present that night to welcome him. It was gratifying to know that Sir Andrew was doing his best to advance the best interests of the returned soldiers. He trusted during bis stay that they would have a pleasant time indeed in the district.

ATr H. M. Coulson (Deputy Mayor), said he had great pleasure in joining in the welcome. They recognised that in Sir Andrew they had one (who had done yeoman service in the great titanic struggle. They recognised in him whose name will be handed down to generations to come. They had those who went and fought and who had come back to us and it was on their behalfthat lie was here this evening. There was no doubt that General Russell had, won the esteem of all who had fought' under him. He heartily endorsed the welcome given.

Hon H. L. Michel said it was a privilege to join in the welcome to General Russell and those associated with him. They were glad to find he was placing his great talents at the disposal of the people to unravel the many difficult problems that had arisen from the war. j GENERAL RUSSELL’S ADDRESS.

. General Russell (who had a very hearty reception, the audience giving him musical honors and continued applause), said if lie ever had a doubt of the warmth of a West Coast welcome that doubt had been dispelled all down the Coast, and last hut not least at Hokitika that evening. He accepted their kind welcome not for himself alone, hut recognising it was an appre-

ciation of the services rendered by the New Zealanders who had served their country in the great struggle. He was heartily glad to find that after t!:;eo years of the end of the war, that the public were pleased to receive and honor him as they had done. Tt showed that they still gratefully remembered those services. Referring to the war service he recounted how the New Zealand division was one of the finest if iiot the finest in France', and he mentioned that one of General Haig’s officers had classed the N.Z. division equal with the Guards, and the Guards division was the pick of the British army. (Applause). After referring to the course of operations he said he well remembered the winter of 15)17, as the darkest hour of the war. Was it a wonder that they needed a word of cheer. They realised what they were lighting for and they hold on and thank God, came on top. Then after the holiday to the Rhine and that was a holiday, then they came back to the horrors of peace. They were tired of war and wanted a rest. There were some who started an organisation to deal with the repatriation of such a large body of men, especially in proportion to the population of the Dominion. He had three of those workers present with him, that evening. Later lie found that there was much to do to assist the returned soldiers, and he found that lie had a work there to do. The returned soldiers know that they owed a deep debt of gratitude for what had been done for the returned soldiers. But they still asked for further assistance for those men who had come back disabled and broken from the war. It was the business of the Returned Soldiers’ Association to look after the disabled soldiers and they did that with

the help of the public. It was only about 'a year ago that lie bad taken up tho present work. Eighty per cent were able to look after themselves, but there were twenty per cent who were unable to do so and they were the ones who should have their best attention. He was constantly coming across cases hi which there was an opportunity to help some one-who was down on his luck. He had two gentlemen, Ah* AValker and Air Leadley, who bad done yeoman service on behalf of the returned soldiers. He would remind them that in the aftermath of all wars cases of hardship were always turning up. They had had enough of fighting and now wanted friendship and peace and goodwill to all men, believing that in unity and efficiency lay the hope of the future. He thanked them heartily for giving him such attention and would ask the members of his party to give further particulars of ‘.heir present mission. (Loud and continued applause). OTHER SPEAKERS.

Rev Mr Walker said ho had great pleasure in making his first visit to I Hokitika. He thanked them for the hearty welcome given to the General. It was a very pleasing fact that the great leaders of the war have alter tho war come to the aid of the men they led. Earl Haig had led the movement and Governor Lord .lellieoe was looking after the sailors and they were glad that General Russell who had led the New Zealanders bad taken up the Association and was infusing new liie into rbe movement. The Association stands first and foremost tor the brotherhood of the men who took part in the great war and that was why lie.always spoke to men whom be did not know, who wore the badge of service. It stands io the credit of the Returned Soldiers’ Association that they stood together to assist their fellow members who were in great need of help and assistance. He wished to tell them that there were scores of men who were breaking down now as the results of the outcome of their war service. Lt was becoming increasingly difficult to persuade the Government to recognise that these breakdowns were the result of the war service. Thcv must stand firm .shoulder to

shoulder to see that these men were properly attended to. There was not a soldier who would not risk his life to bring in the body of. a conn ado for burial. Rut there were many men who needed help who would not receive help unless members paid up their lbs annual fee and lie appealed to them to regularly do so and so enable the Association to give added help to those who required the help. The Canterbury Association was quite prepared to assist those on the West Coast, they wanted the cohesion of all; They would recognise the righteous claim of the relatives of the fallen receiving all the help and assistance that they absolutely were entitled to. He appealed to all to give the movement their best and consistent support so that the good work could be continued. (Applause). Mr AV. Leadley said they would see that the Returned Soldiers’ .Association was more than an organisation lor cheap billiards and beer. It was an organisation that was out to advance the interests of the sick and needy sojdiers. The Association worked not onlv

for the interest of the soldiers, but also Die widows and dependents of those

ivho had paid Hie great sacrifice. He

(instanced what the Association was doing. They were finding that there ■ was a tendency on the part of the Government to withdraw the benefits that had been won from them in the past for the benefit of returned soldiers. They were fighting for increased pensions for widowed wives and mothers, of fallen soldiers and their dependents. They were out to work for an increase in pensions. If a war widow with a pension married again she could claim a gratuity of two gears’ pension. He believed that the outstanding motive that led our men to serve was love of country. The man who to-day deliberately preaches class hatred is an enemy to his country. It was time they made an effort to co-operate and to go to the limit to understand the other fellow’s point of view. In an effort of co-operation thev were now prepared to work so that this beautiful country should continue to progress and prosper. (Applause). VOTE OF THANKS. Mr G'oulson moved a vote of thanks to the speakers for their most interesting addresses. He was sure the mission that had brought their visitors would benefit by the visit. The County Chairman seconded the motion. It seemed to him that the mission of Sir Andrew Russel] and his party was a very noble one indeed. The motion was carried unanimously with hearty appreciation and endorsement.

General Russell in reply stated that they had that evening endeavoured to drive home their point of view and he trusted as a result of their efforts these points of view would now be also those of those present Tlie proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. By request the Returned Soldiers present remained in the hall to personally meet General Russell.