REPLY TO MR BADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1932, Page 3

REPLY TO MR BADE.

(To the Editor). //.//

Sir, —Kindly allow me sbme'oFybnr 'valuable- spdee to reply to the 1 outpourings by 'Mi' F. J. Bade Regarding the'affairs of the R.S.A., or periiaps should I say, regarding the' lack o* business given ! to Mr Bade' by the R.S.A. in connection with' elichre tournaments. It‘iS’ a great' pitythat Mr Hade could not veiit his grievances in the proper plach; i.e. at a meeting of the Executive ‘of the R..S.A. instead of

givihg publicity to what is purely' a. domestic matter'; { With the exception of one portion' of !i the letter; ‘whole tiring is : iVofl worth’ the trouble of a reply, ,It f ralf“|>e apparent, to. ,/nost peopld ‘that 'Hie 'complaint of Mr Bade lias for/the purpose ,p£ a-per-sonal attack' on oiir secretary, Mir R. Paterspn. ,T%„ excellent services rendered the ex-service .men by Mr Paterson,' is so well known that critiof his by Mr„. Jlade, ,(|6e^ not cut much ice. ’ Where, or liow . Mi” Paterson purchased the prizes for the euchre tournaments did. not concern the , executive of the R.S.A. ,to any great extent, and it was not until reference was made to it at the last...annual meeting that the matter was discussed. Mr Bade was present at. thay meeting and he did not then take the opportunity . of ,yoking his Nor did Mr Bade at. any time qoffew any assistance to, the secretary ip the work entailed in the preparation .and running of the tournaments. It sepnijs strange that as sqon as Mr Bade /vyas dropped from the executive , of the R.S.A, (on which. he had served .for two years) lie finds so much to .complain about. . •o;• i Suffice it to say that the executive and the ex-servicemen, generally, .have confidence in Mr, Paterson; as secretary and they have been most fortunate to have had the benefit of- his services for so long,: • - Y : ? '; v .. i?

But the principal item of the letter to 'which I wish to, ■ take., exception is the reference made to our ex-President, Mr D. J. Evans. If there is any men in Hokitika or : anywhere in the district to whom the ex-servicemen owe a distinct debt it is- to that same Mr; Evans, and if it were not for his present illness, he would still he holding the position, of President, a fact, which is unique and which at the,.same time,, was a great compliment to him. It is, the only case that has come under my notice, where a civilian has been elect-, ed to the highest office in the R.S.A; Mr Bade’s remarks regarding Mr Evans were uncalled for, unjust, and to say the least ,of . them, most unkind,. ~Mr Bade’s remarks will he condemned h.v every right thinking ex-serviceipan in the district and I hasten to assure..Mr Evans, who is convalescing at, Weheba, that the remarks mentioned have the whole-hearted disapproval of. the members generally, and sincerely,; regret that one of the members has. : So .far forgotten himself in the .venting of his spleen, to give offence .to a gentleman who has laboured as nntiripgly in the interests of the R.S.A-.v

T have a distinct grievance .against Mr Bade for announcing during the course of bis upbraidings, . that the membership fee hn ; s been reduced to 5/-. He lias stolen some of irty thunder. Tt was decided at last executive meeting to withhold that announcement until the smoke concert on Friday next. But T am glad to note that .Mr Bade urges the. .ex-servicemen ta join. BPFinally, Mr Bade, I would suggest that, if yoju cannot come along to a meeting; and ventilate your grievances, ,-it wqfcoj hotter that you keep silent, instead,J.? 1 ] “telling the world” through the , ... . . ■ ' 1

mins of the Pi'eSs, of mh'tters' that oncern only the R.S.A.' I aim, etc. A. 0. ARMSTRONG, President, Hokitika R.S.A. ... , j-