TRIBUTE TO VETERANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 679, 3 June 1929, Page 11

TRIBUTE TO VETERANS

“EMPIRE BUILDERS,” SAYS GOVERNOR-GENERAL TOWN HALL LUNCHEON J* ** had not been for these men the Empire would never have been what it is today. They represent the history of our race, and their honourable labour has built, the Empire.’* In these words his Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, paid his tribute to the King’s Empire Veterans. The occasion was a luncheon at the Town Hall given in honour of the veterans byiithe Mayor and city councillors, the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association, and the Returned Soldiers’ Association. The Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, presided, and the guests included his P:xcellcncy and Lady Alice Fergusson, Major-Gen-eral R. Young officer commanding New Zealand Forces, and Commodore G. T. C. P. Swabey. commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. There was an attendance of about 150 King’s Empire Veterans, which included Mr. Rowley Hill, New % aaland Cross, a Crimean veteran, and Lieut. R. S. Judson, V.C., and Private J. Crichton, V.C. Memories of war days were revived by the old songs which were played by the Auckland Municipal Band String Orchestra. “Tippenary,” and “Who’s Your Lady Friend?” were among the numbers belonging to other days. A TOAST FOR ALL “This is a toast we all delight in honouring,” said his Excellency, as he rose to propose the toast of “The King’s Empire Veterans.” If they were merely called veterans we should respect them, and even more would they be honoured if they were Empire veterans. But these men are more still than that —they are King’s Empire Veterans.” “When I see you all here.” he said, “I think of the stories that the medals on your breasts could tell. There is my old friend, Mr. Rowley Hill, who has the Crimean Medal, the medal of a war fought 10 years before I was born. I see, too, on his breast the Indian Mutiny Medal, Maori War Medals, and the New Zealand Cross, which is equivalent to the Victoria Cross.”

After remarking on the presence of other distinguished veterans, his Excellency went on to describe the conditions under which service had been given by the men entertained. The Maori War had been fought against an honourable foe whom New Zealanders were now glad to claim as brothers. Then there was service on the frontier of India, in Egypt and on the veldts of South Africa. KEEPING FLAG FLYING “Now in the evening of their days," he said, "they still keep the old flag flying, and keep alive the tradition of service and self-sacrifice.” Response to the toast was made by Lieutenant George Powley. In proposing the toast of “Their Excellencies. S7r Charles and Lady Fergusson,” the Mayor said that their Excellencies, during their term of office, had endeared themselves to all New Zealanders from youngest to oldest. The day’s meeting was tinged with sadness in that it would be the la.st occasion on which their Excellencies would 1 be able to attend the veterans’ lunch. They had taken an active part in all phases of public life ,and their departure would be a real loss. Other toasts honoured yere: “Lord Ranfurly, the Founder of the Veterans’ Home,” proposed by Captain James Stichbujy and responded to by Cr. A. J. Entrican; “Navy and Army,” proposed by Mr. E. W. Jnder and responded to by Commodore Swabey and Major-General Young.