R.S.A. RE-UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1933, Page 3

R.S.A. RE-UNION

ANNUAL' GATHERING

IN SOLDIERS’ HALL

The annual ro-uiiion of the Hokitika I?cturned' Soldiers’ Association was held last evening in the Sold ers’ Hall. Mr W. hi. Brown, president- of tlio Association, ’presided,' having Air B. J. Appleton (vice-president), Brigadier ■General W. Meldrum, the Mayor of Hokitika (Air G. A. Berry 0.8. E.), Mr I). J. Evans (patron oi the Association), m attendance at the head of the table and an attendance ol over i(J(> mem bens and friends." There were lour large tables well laden, the large supper room being crowded to the doors. A plentiful suppiy of good things covered the tit hies and the orderlies wore very attentive to the requirements of the guests. • * Mr W. E.' Brown made a capital chairman and the proceedings passed off Vdi'y successfully'’with I 'the utmost good humour and enjoyment. During the. evening Air W. Haybittle, presided at the piano; and musical items were given by Messrs S’haiul, W. E. Brown, McCabe, Tainui and Curtayno. .

The cha.rman read 'apologies for absence from Air AY. Jeffries, 1 County chairman, absent 'in Wellington;' Mr Harrison, general secretary -B.S-.’A; Chrislchiirch R.S.A. ■ Air A. Graham, Waiho; AJr .Ryh.ll, secretary Grey R.S.A. ' .

The President 'expressed h: s pleasure at the large attendance jiresent at this their fourth annual re-union; and he felt sure it would jii'ove an enjoyable gathering. He took the opportunity of welcoming a number of visitors, including His AVorship the 'Mayor, Brigadier General Meldruni, pyast president, Mr j) J, Evans, Air Haris,,president of the Boss Ii.S.A., and Air Louisson, representing Groymoil'll) district.’

The toast of “The King” was honoured with a rum ration and the National Anthem. .

Air 1). J. Evans (patron of the association proposed the toast of the N.Z. Betunied Solders' Association. Ho said they owed a. debt of gratitude to those who wore instrumental in the formation of the. Associa-tioin, wlhich tfas noev a very influential organisation. They had justice cm their side and a great influence of their own, without recourse 'to any political party. The Association meets regularly and carried out a very large amount of important •business on behalf of the members, The him* period had ..been a period of grave nnx’ety..' The country had done a great deal for the returned men, but there were Still mrtny things that still required attention. As the years passed on many of the nidn were suffering "rom the effect's of their war service. The work of the B.S.A. had helped to a great extent to secure some compensation for tlYciSe who 'suffered as a result of their work in tile'war. p’ori'od. Reference'was made to Flock House movement, which 'had now'been extend, od to sons of Returned Sold ers. Tt was an iHliiiifali'le opnortimjty of giving ve'ufig lads a farming training. Refer ring to the' Niitidmil .War Funds, the action of the Westland Patriotic Society ; n ,handing ■ nvnf their funds to the New Zealand War Council, was voiced as one of great value, which had resulted very satisfactorily.' The Bfltriot’c S'ocicfv had handed- over n'bou't £2&'o; and to' date there had haeir- to this district, the s"m o !l £11,210. He appreciated the k’fdly references of the President and the recen+ion gb"ui by members that evening and also the gift of the members of the Associntion last, Christmas of an autographed photograph of this building. Fff' esited tbem to drink - the toast.

ATr B. J. Applet on replied to. the toast said tho assistance of the public of tWs. district- had been very ronsiderable. An association such as this must have public support-The. Returned Soldip”s sneaking-through, the association, could demand attention hut their demands must he 'dust. The work o f the head association is carried out by the executive and mainly through the work of tl)eir syoretn-v, Mr ,R. much, of their success was due.

Mr L. H. Louisson on behalf of the Grey Association, returned llmims for the reception given the toast. Mr Davis (Boss president), replying rolerred to the formation of the branch of the Association at Boss - , ( Alr W. S. Pratt (president- of the Reef ton branch) also replied, stating the branch hacl been revived of late and urged all returned soldiers to join up with the association, and that every effort should be made; to provide pensions for those .'in meed thereof. 'J he chairman proposed “Fallen Comrades,” paying a warm-tribute. “They are not dead. On - Armistic Day they lined the parapet and watched’ their comrades as they passed by.’’ Honoured in silence. Ensign ProwSe sounding

“The Last .Post” and “The Reveille.” Mr AV. S. Pratt proposed the toast of “South African Veterans.’* These

veterans in their day had gone out to do ther hit, for their King and Country, and -they were worthy 'of every honour; 1

Responded to by Air F. AlcGregor, and Air J. AVaHace.

Dr. Childs proposed “The Army, Navy, and Air Force.” The proposer’s references to his experiences at the Front when lie was forced ‘.to take charge of a camp in France' was of a clove-- and humorous nature and fairly convulsed his hearers. The speaker had a specially warm reception throughout and was loudly applauded on his calling for the toast to he honoured.

Bn'gadier-General Aleldrum, replying, said it was exceedingly pleasant to meet all the' returned"soldiets Hint evening. There was something deeper in these gatherings; than in the usual social functions. He was glad to see the associat on down here was doing such good work. Some interesting war time anecdotes were given and received with much amusement and 'interest. "As long as they had wealth and poverty and as lung as tile nations clash, there will he war. They had the recent meeting,' of the League of Nations, but Jap. . an had taken from China a country the size of Europe!, but Svhat had the League of Nations done. We hacl a country that was worth fighting for find wo must bo ready to defend it. AVe must let our young people who are growing up, know that the time will come when it will he necessary to fight'for their country, likostheir fathers hacl to do before them. They must then bo ready They will not. be- 5 ready unless they trained and prepared lor .the Fine that perhaps Ava.s com'ing, when they would have to fight for their country. Foi forty years Germany hacl prepared foi the war, and when they started the war they had had some reason s 'to think they could win, hut they just missed. They had a- danger to watch Ocher natidns were preparing. Britain could not shut her eyes t.o these things. They must not be caught napping. Eternal viligaiicc was the price of liberty, and the only way to do that was to keep up the high standard of their and navy _ aiicl .air forces. must be ready when those days dime. He tluuiked them for the opportunity of being present that evening. He felt that though they had miiiiy hardships during their war service, they could look buck on those days with great pleasure. The roll call of the var ous sections of the Forces 'then took place and the various units were accorded ' musical honours. " '

Brigadier-General Aleld ‘uni proposed the toast of “The Maori Battalion.” His experience of the Maori Battalion was commenced at Galliploi, part’culars of which were recounted, where they proved themselves to be tip top fighters. They were a picturesque group, and great interest was shown in them. Later they went to France where they did tlieir part worthy of the great- name of the race. He asked them to honour the toast. - ' " ' ''

Mr Tnlinrn .Tninui responded to the ,toast. He felt honoured by the recept. I ion given. He referred to the capture 'of Tiers, in the first battle of the Somme. That centre was won by standing together. 'That was what they wanted in tlieir association. It was for the members to. stick together. They did not want too much “korero” and, a newspaper war of their doings. They should all stand together. Mr Liddicoat proposed the toast of “The Secretary”; " Mr Paterson had done a great deal for the association, and, was a. great, worker on behalf' of theft returned soldiers. Mr T. Lynch supported the toast, giving every credit for llie present success of the association to the- work- of their secretary. ’. .Mr It. Paterson responded. He was glad to know that -his actions had met with : (heir approval/. He was glad to be aide to announced'that the membership- of the association was increasing'.rapidly, and, since the amiual meeting 35 new members had been enrolled.

Mr It. Chestermnn proposed the toast of “The Chairman”. Mr C. Hart the toast of “The Ladies”. Both toasts wore honoured, with enthusiasm and the Catherine/ concluded at midnight with the singing of Auld Long Syne and the National. lAnthem.