The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1930. THE PASSING YEARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1930. THE PASSING YEARS.

I he j ears that have passed were recullou very vivicliy at ime boldiers’ reunion on i 1 rulay nignt, when a higuiy sueees.itul tun&tion wa,s held to enaole tiie service men oi the district to nru_io and talk o\er ocher days and otliei' times. The occasion was marKed by a very remarkable gathering in that it was graced by a targe attendance and passed off with a swing which carried the proceedings at the festive board to a high degree of success. 'Lnere was no suggestion of any old enmities at the assemblage. Rattier was it a friendly and social gathering whereat the rigours of war tvere referred to, and the strange experiences of the time, recalled. It was in point of fact, a social reunion where all went merrilf.' These gatherings are becoming an annual affair and at Home even the former enemy are honoured guests > * There was a case in point last week, when the cable itews recorded the following happy meeting when the spirit of good friendship reunited former foes. The message said; “General Freiherr Krefis von Kressenstein, who commanded the Turkish Army against which the 53rd Welsh Division fought in Palestine, was the guest of honour at the 12th annual dinner of officers of that division on Saturday evening. In his speech, General von Kressenstein said that as in the case of the invitation last year accepted bv General Let tow von Vorbeck, lie regarded the invitation as an extremely valuable building-stone in the reconstruction of friendly relations between the two countries. The whole German Army, and an overwhelming majority of the German people, would gladly and gratefully grasp the hand which their former enemy extended to them,” It is interesting to recall that the General in question saw active service throughout the war, and just before its close fell into the hand-i of the British. Prisoner and captor met again under happier circumstances, and the feelings displayed must surely, make for a wiser understanding putting back the possibility of another war for many years. Ap to the local reunion, it. served the purpose of affording ex-servicemen the opportunity of reuniting and being reminded of their responsibilities for their old comrades who may have fallen on less happier times. The Re*turned Soldiers Association has become a very definite and influential institution, and it i,s responsible for much good work in the interests of the ex-servicemen. It is a fact ihat the rigours of war are telling on many who served, but wbo earlier did not show the signs of the strain of war. The law as at first designed, had no cognisance of such cases, nor the necessity of the country to do its part in the way of special succour. The organisation referred to, is doing its work well, and the better it is supported by the men eligible for membership, the greater will he its influence and the more solid the results. From tiuii'? to time there are statements that interest in the exservicemen is declining. This is not the case locally. No appeal in the intvests of the organisation here has been lUsnsiyiecssful. The 'fact that isuoh good quarters have been provided 1 icallv from the public support, is an indication of the sustained interest in the returned men. What has been done, has been accomplished by a small body of workers. With the local association augumented as it can he, its influence and vnlffe can he cxii'mlt'd greatly. There is room for it. and there v< work to do in the interests of their comrades. So oxo'l|»nt a revival was manifested on Friday night, that such an occasion should constitute a now beginning m phihiutrophie work for the benefit of less fortunate comrades and their dependents. The missing years are not dulling public interest. Wlmi is required is the reminder of the neecssi-

ties, and public interest, will he equal to iis responsibilities. That spirit has been manifested on every legitimate,appeal to the public, and it is pleasing to see that it is so. The returned soldier lias a firm and lasting friend in the general public, conscious as they are of the great service rendered in the time of need. By organising as they are, doing, the ex-ser-vieemen can do a great social service now for their less fortunate comrades, and the public will always hack their well directed efforts.