ALL FOR EMPIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 46, 29 May 1916, Page 3

ALL FOR EMPIRE.

EX-BOER WAR SOLDIERS. # MEETING IN STRATFORD. “We’re here as a fighting body, not as a talking body/’ was the remark of cx-'i reaper Alex Ferguson, of the I sth Boer War Contingent, now residing at Toko, to the representatives of tho various Contingents present at a meeting in the Stratford Hotel on Saturday afternoon. The discussion hud drifted from the original proposal to form a “Battalion” for service at the front (provided the Defence Department accepted the offer), in the direction of holding re-unions of returned contingenters, which, however, did not meet with Mr, Ferguson’s approval; hence the forceful comment, and immediately the gathering stood to attention, in other words, members echoed their approval of the sentiment therein, and got down to business on the lines suggested by Mr Ferguson. But to resume. The weather on Saturday afternoon was anything but propitious for the gathering together of such a scattered lot of respectable members of the community as the returned soldiers from the famous Boot War now represent. Rounded up, Saturday’s mooting itself represented farming, cheese-making, the railway, the telegraph department, butchering, the tnrf, and last, but not least, un- | dertaking. The trades and professions now followed were lost to sight

in the laughter and merriment raised j by narratives and incidents common to the members during their memorable experiences in South Africa. It was pleasing to note the glad eye as members of the same contingents met in introduction. The 3rd Contingent were best represented, lour members being in attendance, while there were three of the oth, one of the 7th, and one of the 10th. The following is a list of those present, the number of the Contingent to which they belonged, and their present address:— J. F. Butler, Lieut-Commander H. Squadron, 10th Contingent, Pago Street, Stratford. G. Brooking, 7th Contingent, Tututaw:) .

Alex Ferguson, oth Contingent, Toko. J, Brookes, oth Contingent, Stratford. R. Monnsey, 3rd Contingent, Stratford. ,T. Ross, 3rd Contingent, Kiore. T. Richardson, 3rd Contingent, Stratford. W. Bonner, 3rd Contingent, Stratford. Don. Smith; sth Contingent, Toko. Other names mentioned as being unavoidably absent included ; J. Spence, 3rd Contingent, Kiore. G. Calvert, 3rd Contingent, Strathmore. Mr Ross, one of the conveners, was voted to the chair, and briefly referred to the objects of the meeting. He drew attention to the changed conditions prevailing in the Empire and the great struggle that was going on. The fighting was fierce, and there was every probability that it would last some time, and voluntering was more highly appreciated than an era of compulsion. If it were not possible, to raise a “Battalion,” they might try' and get together a company even of 200 or 300 ex-contingenters and offer their services to the Defence Department, who would bo asked to keep them in one unit, if possible. This, at any rate, was his own idea, but he would be glad to hear what members thought of the proposal. Mr Butler thought there would be a difficulty in forming a distinct unit, and, if they did, there would be the onus of keeping up the reinforcements; in fact, lie did not think they

would bo able to do so, and they would bo drafted into other eompanios and thus lose their identity. Still, it was not necessary that they should go to the front line, but somewhere where tin l methods of warfare to which they had been accustomed would be useful to the Empire,. As to a separate “battalion,” ho could not see how it could be done, although they could volunteer in a body and express the desire to be kept in one company or unit. He thought that everyone of them should volunteer; all of them were out to help the Empire and stick up for the Grand Old Flag, 1 ut the question was, Would the authorities appreciate the offer and grant them facilities to keep together? Perhaps the authorities would give them some idea of how their services • could 1m placed. He reminded them that the attendance at the meeting was not much to act upon, and no one knew how many ex-eontingenters resided in the district. Mr 'Richardson suggested organisation so that the country might be systematically canvassed for members, i A discussion on ways and means to /

effect the object aimed at then followed, and it was then resolved on the motion of Mr Richardson, seconded by Mr Ferguson, that Mr Butler appointed secretary pro tern. The idea of a re-union of all Taranaki men appearing to be uppermost in the minds oi the meeting, auditions Were made to the motion: That all returned men from the South Alrican War he ■ requested , to communicate with the secretary ; 'that another meeting ho held later; and that all present form themselves into a committee to assist as'far as possible by hunting up their old .comrades. It was at this stage that Mr Ferguson fired the shot referred to at the opening of this article; “We’re here as a lighting body, not as a talking body!” The effect was electrical on the old war-horses! Mr I*ergusou fjaiil lie for one was anxious to go; he had attended the,-meeting with the idea that something definite would he come to, hut the arrangement of a re-union would not help in the object of the gathering. It would mean delay, and that would be fatal. They should set about getting the names of those who wore prepared To offer their services, ami lie took it that they were all present for that purpose.—(Hear, hear). The question of arranging for meetings in other towns from which delegates might be appointed to attend a meeting in Stratford at a later date was then discussed, and a budget of names was gathered by the secretary, who will circularise same. ft was finally resolved that a meeting of all Taranaki members and delegates from other centres he held in i . I the Patriotic Rooms, Municipal ChamIbors Stratford, oil Saturday, 10th Lliirio ft F. SSO n m