DIGGERS' RE-UNION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 379, 14 November 1932, Page 6

DIGGERS' RE-UNION

r.s.a. organisation SUCCESSUL ANNUAL DINNER HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING OLD MEMORIES RE CALLED A wonderful spirit of comradeship was evident at the seventh annual reunion of the Rotorua, branch of the N.Z. Returned Soldiers' Association, held in the Lake House Hotel on Friday evening. ™ The re-union, which took the form of a dinner and social evening, was largely attended by-over 100 returned "diggers" in the district, and many old acquaintances made during the four years of the Great War (when all were fighting with the one purpose, the honour of their country) were renewed and -experiences recalled. During the evening many toasts were honoured in enthusiastic fashion, and the provision of an excellent orchestra, under the baton of Mr. H. F. Heley, and a talented vocal programme ensured that the function will long be remembered as one of the most successful in the history of the branch. The chair was occupied by the president of the branch, Major R, I. D'ansey, and associated with him at the official table were the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, Col. E. G. Fraser, Major G. H. Weir, Mr. L. J. Bayfeild, Dr. S. H. Hay, G. H. French and Mr. J. D. A. Painton (secretary). Three other table s running the full length of the dining room — which was draped with the Union Jack and New Zealand ensigns — were fully occupied and tastefully arranged in red, white and blue and lighted by decorated candles under the supervision of Mr. F. Oldham. Diggers Welcomed After the loyal toast had been honoured, Major Dansey in proposing the toast of the R.S.A. organisation, welcomed the "diggers" to the re-union and referring to the success which had marked the functions in the past said that this had been made possible by j two important factors. The first was the splendid spirit of comradeship and the absence of unseemly behaviour which had always marked the function, and the second, the standing of, and the interest taken in, the branch, which was borne out by the fact that they were able to welcome to their re-unions the leading citizen of the town, his Worship the Mayor. During the past few years the organisation had done much' good work throughout the Dominion in retaining for . its members and returned men generally the rights and privileges to which they were entitled and despite almost unsurmountable difficulties its efforts had been very successful and proved the necessity for its existence. Value of Co-operation In replying, Mr. Higginson (Matamata) president of the Tirau branch of the association pointed out that the benefits of such functions lay in bringing the members together and making them realise that the organisation was an active body working in their interests. He said that only those closely in touch with executive matters knew the amount of work which was being done and the help given in cases of distress of their less fortunate eomrades by the wise allocation of the meagre funds at their disposal. One unfortunate sidelight of the association, he said, was the fact that of the total returned men the Dominion membership was in the vicinity of only 12,000. He considerel that 80,000 members should be possible and appealed to those present to continue membership with the association, real:sing that while perhaps they themselves were not in immediate need, their co-operation would do much to relieve the troubles of others in necsssitous circumstances. Absent Comrades Honoured The toast to "Absent Comrades," which was honoured in impressive silence was entrusted to Col. E. G. Fraser who said that whenever ex■soldiers gather-ed together their thoughts never failed to wander back to memories of their comrades who had made the great sacrifice for their country. Although he could but visualise many absent faces, he said that he felt sure that all were with them in spirit to receive the honour which their comrades were to pay them. Navy and Air Force Appreciation of the excellent services rendered by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force was expressed by Mr. J. Watson, who said that at the beginning of the war the Navy carried out its work in as brilliant a manner as the Air Force finished the war. The achievements of both services throughout the period of hostilities could have only been made possible by the excellent organisation and efficiency which marked any task delegated to it. Squadron-Leader A. J. Butler,

O.B.E., who replied on behalf of the air services, said that the Royal Air Force, of which he is an ex-member, always held a deep respect for the other services and were meticulous in their efforts to loyally serve those forces as a protecting service. In referring to the remarkable progress which had been made in aviation iie traced the advancement made since 1903 when the first officially sustained flight of 12 minutes took place, and the standard reached to-day when, with modern engines developing 1000 horsepower and more, flights of almost any distance were possible. The air force- had been responsible for producing many outstanding characters notably £ur Henry Seagrave, Sir Malcolm Campbell and Flight-Lieut. Stainforth, each of whom had been responsible for placing Great Britain to the forefront in speed records on water, land and sea. In the policy of disarmament, Great Britain had set an example to the world, and was now placed seventh in numerical strength but in efficiency held a premier position. As an ex-member of the Royal Navy Mr. R. H. Reed said that although opposed to equal enemy opposition in the early part of the war, the Navy had been equal to the task imposed upon it and in all its engagements the spirit of Nelson had been very much alive. Comradeship and effici'ancy had seen - them through many most difficult tasks. Tribute to Medical Services A tribute to the devotion and care always willingly given by the medical and. nursing service was made by Major G. H. Weir, and here again h'e said efficiency had been a keynote, This organisation was still in existence and at a moment's notice would be available in cases of emergency. Under the direction of the Direetor of Medical Services, Wellington^ the seivice had done valuable work in connection w-ith the recent earthquakes in Hawkes Bay. In an entertaining reply Dr. W. S. Wallis said that he felt that while an increasing tribute would be made to the nursing service the medical service would be forgotten. It was the sister, he said, who took care of the wounded, and it was the sister who arianged the late leave pass and received the thanks, but the doctor who signed the chit was forgotten. To the nursing service however, he said the highest tribute was due, all its members having performed noble and gallant service and spent nights of vigil and^ toil attending their patents in a time fraught with trouble and danger.

Concluding Toasts Other toasts honoured were "The Visitors" proposed by Dr. S. II. Hay and replied to by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson; "The Artists," Mr. K. Ehau' re]ply Mr. H. J. F. Heley; andi "The Host , Captain W. Waaka, .reply Col. E. G. Fraser. . proceedings ended with the smging °f Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem. The following eoncert programme was rendered 'during the evening. Orchestral selections, The Diggers' Band, under the batoh of Mr. H. J F Heley; duet, Messrs J. H. Thomas and Elliott; cornet solo, Mr. H. G. Goodchild; solo, Mr. J. H. Thomas; Maori quartette, and combined choruses.