HELPING DIGGERS TO DIG THEMSELVES IN

NZ Truth, Issue 1141, 13 October 1927, Page 1

HELPING DIGGERS TO DIG THEMSELVES IN

AT one time the Government considered the stamping: of a medal or badge as a suitable memento for ex-service men. This was to take the form of the official British war badge, but when the N.Z.R.S.A.- came into being and petitioned the Government with the desire that they — as an association of men who had served overseas — desired a badge of their own, the Government finally abandoned the idea. The NJZ.R.S.A. silver badge, although neat m appearance and design, is considered rather on the large size and this has been its greatest drawback as a commemorative and distinctive mark of overseas service, at the same time indicating membership of the R.S.A. Many men who joined up with the association, although willing and even anxious to become members, demurred against wearing the badge on account of its excossive size. Moreover, a certain amount of lllfeelingr became manifest on account of the number of the ex-soldier being engraved on the front of the badge. Among returned soldiers this was a distinguishing mark that led to the identification of the time of service of each individual man.

—silip^ Dominion's Example Followed isiffih^ oy Ine Ejnpire '' ■ DOUG. HAIG TO MEET HIS OJLD_COMRADES IN NEW ZEALAND

achieved and the parent body of the N.Z.R.S.A. is sending out these new badges to the affiliated associations throughout New Zealand. The badges themselves were made by H. T. Peat, an old N.Z.E.F. man himself. In seeking to place the contract, the controlling body made every endeavor to benefit someone who was a member of one of the various affiliated bodies. The new pin-badge, which can practically be covered by a threepennypiece, instead of carrying the number of the member on the front, has bean polished on the back and space allowed there. Of sterling silver and carrying the registered number, it has also stamped upon it the initials of the maker, H. T. Peat. Protected by legislation, the new badge is an emblem any man would be proud to wear. The difficulty which the various centres of the R.S.A. haye had to contend with m respect to "financial" members is automatically wiped out with the issue of this new badge, for as men buy their new badges they will also enroll as members of the association. Neat and not so conspicuous, the council of the R.S.A. is confident m the hppe_ that, all members will wear the miniature badge. The popular general secretary of the N.Z.R.S.A. points out that the only men who can wear the badge will be the genuine members of the association. No undesirable element will creep into the ranks m the form of cadging by non-members. New Zealand has something to be proud of m this body of returned men. Away back m the early part of 1916, each centre had its own association and worked independently of the other, but towards the end of the year the New Zealand R.S.A. was formed and all affiliated bodies throughout the J country were answerable to the council. In 1921, when a conference was called m Capetown by Field -Marshal Earl Haig, of all ex-service men's associations throughout the British Empire,

(From "N.Z. Truth's" Special Wellington Representative.) The badge of service among veterans of the Great War has always remained more or less a bone of contention m Nero Zealand, and even right up to the present time there have been various contentions for and against the special membership and war service badge issued by the Nev> Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association.

D • New Zealand sent her representatives. This was when the British Empire Service League was formed. Of all the 18 countries represented, New Zealand was the only united delegation present and this was the great mission which Earl Haig set himself — to weld into one united body all British veterans of the Great War. Whereas New Zealand had on« united body m the N.Z.R.S.A., other countries such as Canada, South Africa and Australia had numerous associations which militated against unity and strength. Since the B.E.S.L. was formed, the task Earl Haig set himself has been achieved. Each biennial conference of the League has found the returned men of various countries throughout the Empire becoming more united as time went on. The second biennial conference, held m Canada, found the men of our gister Dominion welded into one vast association — the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. Field-Marshal Earl Haig, who is the errand president of the 8.E.5.L., has presided over the.se assemblies of representatives of the scattered units of this vast league — of which New Zealand was the foundation member! Last June it was hoped to hold the ♦hird biennial conference m Australia, but at the eleventh hour the delegates gathered m London. In his opening address, Earl Haig said: ". . . The primary object of the League is to aasiat-ex-service men. . . But the scope of our work extends to wider and yet more splendid ends than that. "The League stands as a living memorial of past service; as an active reminder of the service which la still required of us. . ." It is anticipated that the next biennial conference to be held m 1929 will take place m Australia. With the presence m the Commonwealth of Earl Haig himself, it is the earnest wish of all New Zealand exservice men that this great soldier should extend his visit to our shores.

With this fact m mind, "N.Z. Truth" extends a cordial invitation to Lord Haig to visit the Dominion when the League's business brings him to Australia. Here he will be able to see that great unity among ex-Bervice men which has been his one object since the closing days of the war. He will also have an opportunity of seeing what great work the N.Z.R.S.A. has carried out m the interests of its members and its benefit to the comi munity as a whole. The fifty odd affiliated branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. are still doing good work among the men of the late war, and their activities are not confined to members' ranks alone. Where men are up against It the various associations always extend a helping hand to those m need. A recent case m point was .that m which a man who served four years m the. fighting line and returned home an invalid, found his health m such a serious condition as to place him m dire circumstances. Only by a recent operation was the bullet near his spine removed. Now, thanks to a little aid, he is again on his feet.