A SOLDIERS' SOCIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 28, 8 January 1916, Page 7

A SOLDIERS' SOCIAL.

CIVIC FUNCTION, A social evening to returnee! soldiers, soldiers on leave and members of the Jdth Keiuforeements, was held at the Egmont (Tali last evening. Hie May or (Mr J. \V. Boon), presided, and there was a very small attendance. In the intervals’ between the speeches, games of cards and billiards were indulged in, the club’s premises being thrown open to all. The Egmuiii Ciuo Orchestra played selections during the evening, which were mum appreciated. Lieut. Gray gave an excellent rendering of “Sloep- ! mg Camp” and Captain W. V. Wilson was heartily applauded for his song, “The Bandalero.”

Mr J. -Masters, in extending the men a welcome to the Club, said that when one thought of the men who had gone away, returned wounded, and were going hack again, they could he honored and admired. Tne speaker

said his, remarks were mainly for those young men who were eligible to enlist hut had not done so. He said that the men comprising the main body bad fought and worked foi twelve months, and" we knew of many who had been wounded the second and third time. The Club had sent thirty of its members, ami it admired them, but there were other mem hers who would be more admired if they enlisted. If lie was young lie would go; in fact, he felt like going now. Ho could not understand any one, who had not enlisted, contentedly allowing any soldier to go hack to the front for the second time. 1 The time would come 1 when men would be forced to join the Colors, and bis advice was to go now, as it was no credit to go when forced. He said the hoys’ pals were calling for them to go and help. He wondered if a man was accosted and assaulted, would his friends go and help him. j If there had been sufficient reinforcej ments at Gallipoli the troops would never iiave had to retire, but the enemy was two to one. The Allied troops were equal when it came man to man. What would young men who had not enlisted look like, what would they be, and whore would they hide themselves when the war was over and the troops were welcomed home! He had thought a groat deal about the matter, and under the existing circumstances he. considered every man should go. In conclusion; Mr Masters said ho hoped those present would enjoy themselves, and he wished them God-speed and hoped they would’ return safe and sound.

j Tho Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon), on heI half of tlie citixens of Stratford, welcomed back the men who had returned,. and said he was pleased to see them hack sale, if not .sound. He said it was his special duty to hid good-by© to the men of the 12th Reinforcements. He was pleased to say that Stratford had always supplied her quota of men. The Defence Department wanted a larger reserve list, the one at present not being large enough. New Zealand soldiers would compare favorably with those from any other country in the world. In wishing the boys a welcome home and the others gopd-bve- and a safe return, Mr Boon said another twenty or thirty men would be leaving Stratford on Monday morning by.the mail train. Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., said it gave him great pleasure to bid go< d-bya to the boys who were going away. He said lie had a few words to make regarding the treatment of soldiers away from home. The Pensions Bill, which was brought down last session, had certain weaknesses. He thought that it would be far hotter to tL© country and the enlistments if the Prime Minister and colleagues would bring down a den a'to statement regarding pensions to men and their dependents. One great weakness in tho

Bill was the clm.so that : f a man lost his lilo *imi luui :i person dap; mlent vioon him. The speaker said tile re-

turned hoys did not believe that on arrival at Wellington they -hon'd be driven to the Town Hall and have to listen to speeches by politician.:. It made the men go away with doleful faces. In wishing the boys God-speed and a safe return, Mr Hiue said he hoped they would find a happy hunting ground. Mr Hine said : All honor to the men who marched to Berlin, and more honor to tho coldier who “lassoes* the Kaiser and brings him hack and says “the War is over!” In conclusion, Mr Hine said he would do all lie eoukl to remedy Toe Haw existing in fee pensions Bill at present.

M r.' W. I ’. Kirkwood on belialt ol the Stratford Patriotic Cornnwittee, welcomed home the returned men and bid good-live to those who were going at a later date. As far as recruiting in Stratford was concerned, it was good,, and that for the whole of Taranaki was good. The Taranaki 'War Relief Association was holding Us first meeting on January TBh, and until then they were marking time. The Association’s duty was to see to ihe welfare of the returned men. H returned men Would make known to tho Association their wants it would lie a great assistance. He wanted the men to know that anything done for them by the Association was not in the way of charity, as the money held by the body was subscribed for the boys’ needs. • only administering the funds. The funds .were amonntiiig up in <T)iranaki. and he hoped soon that the Association would have a Iftrge amount of money to administer. 1 1 Mr Boon thanked the orchestra and Club members and all who had *isßited in' making' the function; a success.