Ex-Servicemen in Lively Mood

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 61, 3 June 1927, Page 3

Ex-Servicemen in Lively Mood

MEETING AT TOWN HALL RELEASE OF CANTEEN FUNDS CHAIRMAN’S DIFFICULT TASK QNE of the noisiest gatherings in the Town Hail concert chamber for many a day was held last evening when some 200 ex-servicemen met under the presidency of Mr. A. Hail-Skelton for the purpose of forming a rival body to the Returned Soldiers’ • Association to agitate for the release and distribution of the canteen funds among returned soldiers and the dependents of the fallen, and for an enquiry into the administration of the patriotic funds. Throughout the evening a running fire of interjections met the efforts of nearly all the speakers, the chairman frequently appealing for “a fair say,” and to “give him his cance, gentlemen.” I have been asked to preside as an impartial outsider,” remarked Mr. flail Skelton, in his introductory remarks. “I know there has been some dissatisfaction among ex-servicemen in the matter of the administration of the patriotic and canteen funds.” The speaker went on to say that thousands of pounds had been subscribed to patriotic funds when the soldiers were at the Great War, but now that money was locked up in the hands of local bodies. He then proceeded to attack the “medical minions” in the service of the Government who indiscriminately cut off the pensions of disabled soldiers. The manner of the administration of these funds called for an exhaustive enquiry. “It makes my blood boil to see the way you soldiers sit down and see these things done,” he concluded passionately. Ihe chairman of the provisicmal committee, Mr. A. McCormick, informed the meeting that there was over £200,000 in the canteen fund. It is the intention of the trustees to hold up the fund, then lend it out to us on interest. Is that right?” he demanded. THE MEETING TUNES UP At this stage everybody began to discuss the point in loud and excited debate. The committee on the platform dropping unceremoniously into the background of the picture, while the body of the hall became a bedlam of controversy. It was at once evident that the assemblage was by no means in full agreement with. the remarks of the provisional chairman. In vain Mr. Hall Skelton appealed for order. The rival factions in the audience meant to have their say—and did. One burly digger in the front row got to his feet and bombarded the committee with a series of quaint irrelevancies. The soothing voice of the president failed to place him back in his seat. “Haven’t I the right to interrupt?” demanded the persistent soldier —and the ironical laughter which followed would indicate that the meeting thought not. When the tumult died down Mr. McCormick continued his speech. “We cannot do anything unless we get together,” he said. “We are here to form another league. “It’s a case of keeping together,” he reminded. “Are we going to form another association?” he queried in a voice of hope. “Yes—No—Sure!” were flung at him from 200 excited voices. “I move that a new league be formed with the title of the New Zealand Ex-Servicemen’s League,” persisted Mr. McCormick. Amid the cheers and groans which followed, the chairman could be heard faintly proclaiming that the motion had been seconded in a dozen places. A LADY ON THE PLATFORM At this juncture Mrs. Emily Nichol, well-known as a champion of returned soldiers, came forward with uplifted hand, and in a voice of authority calmed the disorder. “Nobody has done more for the boys than me,” she declared to the accompaniments of “God bless you, Mum,” from various quarters of the hall. She announced that she supported the resolution because she had taken upon her shoulders the work the Returned Soldiers’ Association had omitted to do. Up jumped half a dozen others, clamouring for . a hearing. With characteristic irrelevance, the “digger" who had previously demanded the right to interject, wanted to know whether the canteen funds totalled £IBO,OOO or a quarter of a million. Mr. Hall Skelton believed it was £288,000. “Then,” said the interjector, “I have made a ‘bloomer’ of £100,000.” In the upheaval which followed this admission the voice of Mr. Skelton could be heard vainly appealing for order. NEW LEAGUE FORMED TURMOIL UNABATED When the hubbub had subsided to a certain degree a local identity, well known in the lesser military circles, marched to the foot of the stage waving a battered felt hat, and, beaming upon the chairman, in a suspiciously husky voice he sought permission to “say a few words.” Thereupon turmoil broke loose in all parts of the hall. “Sit down, for goodness sake!” and “Aw! Go home,” greeted his request. “Give him a fair hearing, gentlemen,” sparred the chairman. Then, brandishing his hat on high, and smiling benignly in the direction of his hearers with the serenest complacency, the thick-voiced one proceeded to scatter a few pearls of indisputable wisdom. “Peace on earth and goodwill to men.” he counselled amiably, while at the back of the hall a lusty argument betokened utter contempt for the benevolent orator. “Where shall we be in 100 years’ time” —his words were lost in the howls of delight which followed. Still radiating goodwill and with a final flourish of his shabby headgear, the peaceable gentleman gave up his effort and sat down. The motion was then put and carried by a fair majority on a show of hands. It was also decided to admit South African veterans to the new league. However, the babel continued unabated until the stentorian voice, pos siblv of an ex-sergeant-major, shouted. “Next man who speaks out of his

turn gets 10 days C. 8.” This announcement sobered the meeting and business was able to proceed. The next motion, moved by Mr. A. W. Flyger, provisional honorary secretary of the league, proposed that the canteen funds be immediately released for distribution. Mr. Flyger read a petition which he had circulated, demanding that the funds and securities in the hands of the War Funds Council should be handed over to a responsible body of returned soldiers and the proceeds distributed among, returned men and their relatives. The motion and the wording of the petition were endorsed by the audience, although one man suggested that the term “demand” was too strong. ADMINISTRATION OF PATRIOTIC FUNDS Several voices demanded an exhaustive inquiry into the administration of the patriotic funds. It was ultimately decided to support the demand for the inquiry and also that the funds should be handed over to the returned men. One of the more thoughtful of the audience moved that in future all meetings of the league should be held on Sundays, as there was too much beer present at that meeting for decent men. Thereupon wild disorder followed and it was some minutes before the business could be gone on with.

Mr. McCormick said the sponsors of the league had a plan which would give work to all returned soldiers if somebody would provide the capital He would give details to anybody who would put up £SOO.