RETURNED SOLDIERS’ RE-UNION.

Shannon News, 11 May 1926, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ RE-UNION.

A PLEASANT FUNCTION. Tlie second re-union ol returned oomn'i's who Look part in die Great wand tlie Soum African War, took piii.ee in tlie Druids’ Hall on Friday evening. The gathering was not so large as on the former occasion, tlie boisterous weather no doubt preventing a number from' coming a distance. Nevertheless, the function, socially, was a splendid, success' aud should' help considerably towards retaining that bond of unity and friendship which exists among the. men. A number of visitors from the surrounding district were present, among whom was Mr Goodwin, secretary of the Levin R.S.A. During the evening a number of toasts were honoured which were interspersed with musical items and the recalling of incidents in their experiences and storytelling. C-apt. White presided and apologised for the unavoidable absence of His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Butt), Mr Hamilton, President of Levin R.S.A. and Mr G. Hardier After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr Hartley proposed that of “Absent Comrades,” which was replied to by Mr J. Sinclair. In replying to the toast of the. N.Z. Returned Soldiers’ Association, proposed by Mr A. Blackwood, an outline of some of the Association’s work was given by Mr Goodwin, secretary of the Levin branch. He said they had been successful in getting a revaluation of soldiers’ farms, which had been the outcome of representations made by the R.S.A., and lie felt sure this would not have come but for the agitation of the R.S.A. Df. Gow was largely responsible for.that, he having worked hard to obtain it. Another matter -they had worked hard'for was the remission of rates on soldiers’ farms. Up to. the present they .had been unable to secure this, but the question was to .be decided at tlie Counties’ 'Conference to be held at Wellington in Jmie. In connection with pensions they had had to do a lot of battling. As a result .of the Association’s efforts, privileges had been secured for badly disabled men, such as railway concessions, free fares with tramway companies and clothing allowance, also certain provisions were made for T.B. men lor twelve months after leaving hospital. They now had representation on the Pensions Appeal Board and any dissatisfied man could now appeal and be. allowed to have a solicitor to conduct his case. During the past twelve months the Levin branch had no less than five pension cases to put before the Board and they had the satisfaction of getting redress with all. Aill these men were non-financial, but the R.S.A. were not disinterested when it came to assisting them. Referring to the Poppy Day money he sa.id this had been spent wisely by .way of providing employment- or relieving distress among "dependants. From the Anzac services they had been able to make a donation of lOgris to tlie Veterans’ Home at Auckland. The Question of providing a Veterans’ Honie for those who took part in the Great War would have to be gone into in tlie next year or two. lire New Zealand R.S.A. had done an enormous amount of routine work, hut they .must have the hacking of men and finance. There were 7000 memberis in the Dominion last year, but. this year there are slightly I6ss. Every able-bodied returned man should be a member. His subscription is a big help to the. man'in trouble and his dependants. H : e said lie would like to see a branch of the Association formed in Shannon, then men in the district who required assistance, would know who to come t.o. If they had an Association then they had a status, even if there- were only ten members. (Applause). Mr Hiemtningsen proposed the toast •of “Kindred Services,” which was replied to by Mr Blackwood and Mr L. J. S-. Spencer (South African Veterans) mid Mr McKinley (Navy). Mr Spencer said he felt sorry there was not such a large number of men present as on the last occasion tliev had gathered. Was it- that the enthusiasm was not. so great, or was it that the men were growing old and losing - their enthusiasm. It. was fine, he thought, to- he able to meet, cnee a. year and renew old .acquaintances. In this connection he referred to the annual re-union of the Sixth Contingent of South African men, of which he was a member, as mi event, which they always looked forward to:. He said it was very gratifying to him to be with them that evening, and he would like to see all returned men m Shannon attend these re-unions as H was such gatherings that tended to create that unity which is so desirable among men. Other toasts honoured were: “The Visitors,” proposed by Capt. White, responded tu by Mr Robinson; Ihe Ladies,” proposed by Mr Riches, replied to by Mr A. Mason: ‘ Fajleii Comrades.” proposed by Capt. White and honoured in silence: “Tlio Navy, proposed by Mr F. C. Pennell: T lie Press.” proposed by Mr E- -T. ‘-lancer. At intervals in the proceedings songs were rendered by Messrs Blackwood. Jamieson, Coleman and Conchie; and recitations by Messrs Bovis, Coyle, F. King, Goodwin and J. Sinclair. After a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman (Capt. White) and all who had assisted in making the gathering such a success a most sociable and pleasant evening...was--.brought to a close by all joining hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”