THE R.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1929, Page 2

THE R.S.A.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S MESSAGE

APPEAL TGMEMBEES

WELLINGTON, Oct. 31

At the last meeting of the executive of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association (the president, Colonel G. T. Hall, presiding) the following interesting communication from the Gov-ernor-'General, Sir Charles Fergusson, to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, was read : “I am particularly glad,” wrote his Excellency, “of the opportunity afforded me of sending a message to ray comrades of the Returned Soldiers’ Association as my term of office is nearing its end. My predeessor, in. a former message, reminded you that the underlying object of the Association is to keep alive the spirit and the realisation of the nobility of service and selfsacrifice, and to foster that spirit in the ordinary everyday life of the community—in other words, to put into practice in peace time the lessons of comradeship and good fellowship which we learned during the years of war. On many occasions in my meetings with different branches of the Association, I have tried to emphasise this as part of our objects and aims, as an incentive to encourage us to maintain and enlarge our membership in such an Association. These are the main objects, quite apart from the pleasure and advantage which we ourselves derive from companionship and social gatherings: First, the help which we can be to those who have suffered in one way or another from the War, and, secondly, the example and leading which we can give to the community at large. We can, in fact, if we realise our powers and responsibilities, be an immense factor for good in the country, especially in relation to the generation of young people now growing up. “As the years go on we old soldiers will feel more and more the value of close comradeship and of mutual help and co-pperation, and the stronger our numbers'’. greatefr the influence we shall be-'able to wield, and . the more good we shall he able to do. I, therefore, appeal to you to hold together, to keep; qp a high stansdard of integrity. and good conduct, and to guard jealouslybthe good name which the Association has earned and now enjoys. I shall always he proud of the badge which the New Zealand Association presented to me. I count it an honour to yyear it, and it will always remind ipe of the kindness and goodwill which you extended to me since my arrival .'in the Dominion. I wish God speed and good luck to you all.”

Colonfel Hall added that this message, which had come through the New Zealand Association, should be read by every returned soldier in the Dominion, qnd that he should do more than that, He, too, should do his share in encouraging the Association “to maintain and enlarge its membership.” Much good lmd been done by the various Returned Soldiers’ Associations throughout the Dominion. Tney had several letters of appreciation before them that night in connection with their own efforts fo provide employment for “Diggers” out of work and in other activities, but much remained to be accomplished. There were many returned soldiers today who had received encouragement and help from the Associations, and it gave them a feeling of confidence that there were such institutions in the Dominion which would take up “the cause that lacked assistance,” endeavour to; help the “Digger,” and assist in any way possible towards his rehabilitation. Even if returned soldiers'did. not care to attend the meetings they could become members of the Association. They were deeply grateful to his Excellency for the kindy interest he had always manifested in the welfare of the returned soldiers, and long after his departure from these shores, which they all regretted, the words from him they had heard that night would he long remembered. (Applause).