THE NEW ZEALAND RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 8 February 1917, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The work of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association has two aspects: one from the point of view of citizens of New Zealand and the other from that of the returned soldier. It must be understood that the Association is organizing a national movement with very serious objects and it is not formed merely with a view to securing club comforts for its members. We stilj have fresh in our minds the South African war and we know that after that war numbers of men -were never able to properly settlo down to civil life. In this war, where the whole of New Zealand's young manhood is involved, a. grave danger is apparent to all. The returned soldiers have realized the impending trouble, and have set themselves the task of averting it. One of the greatest factors in achieving this part of the work is a Itetcirned Soldiers' Club. The great nervous strain through which asoldier passes cannot but have its effect upon him. A returned soldier with any length of service is out of touch with civil life, and his feelings on being discharged from the army "no further use" can be better imagined than described.

In the Returned Soldiers' Club he meets men who hare nil the attributes of citizenship and have with him the common bond of active service. The value of this' re-union as club members ca,rmot be too strongly emphasised and the returned soldier who has settled down to work again is thus a factor in making it easier for those who come after. Clubs controlled by the Association are not permitted to become loafing grounds. Men aire encouraged to work and work is found for them. Thus. it will seem that the association regards these clubs only as a means to an end, and that end is one of vital importance to this country. The first step to establish on a i sound and' uniform basis of control, returned soldiers' clubs in every part of the dominion. For this work n« public money has yet been subscribed. The returned soldiers themselves are subscribing to a great national work. From the point of view of the returned soldier, the association appears as a strong body composed 1 entirely of his own comrades to which he can turn wherever he may be. No soldier maimed or broken in service need fear that his sacrifice will be forgotten, since, in time of need, every one of his comrades will stand at the back of him. Nor will the widows or dependents of these who have fallen :be forgotten. They will never appeal in vain to the Returned Soldiers' Association.—You re, etc., 0. W. BATTEN, General Secretary.