The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1916. RETURNED SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 76, 29 March 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1916. RETURNED SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION.

("With which is incorporated The Tai bape Post and Waimarino News.)

It is admittedly 'advantageous'to approach most public and quasi-public questions with the greatest care, .and to give them due consideration before committing any section of the people to any course of action involving considerable initiative costs and expenditure in subsequent upkeep, but it is equally dangerous to drift into anything bordering on what may be termed a"Taihoa" policy. ,We do not infer, nor do we think, that anyone in particular was in fault by preventing the Returned Soldiers' Association, or club, question being considered and dealt with at a prior meeting to that held last night. In such matters there is some virtue in "striking the iron while it is hot," and it is reasonable to believe that the paucity of attendance of country people at the meeting last night is somewhat accounted for by the omission to take some definite step, be it ever so little, at the meeting which m'any did attend. The serious and earnest trend of discussion last night, however, augurs well for the initial success and development of an organisation that will prove of incalculable value, and convenience to Returned Soldiers, and for stable conditions in the Dominion's future political progress, for it has been pointed out by some of our political leaders that it would be extremely dangerous to allow very many r 0^ ds of soldiers to return to •'"'•jaaland without some organisation being in readiness to attend to their wants and complaints, and to supply information that would prevent the growth of grievances and stem the tide of dissatisfaction. It is, of course, unbelievable that these thousands of men can come back without having grievances that are both real and fancied, and it is agreed that Soldiers 'Associations and Soldiers' Clubs are the best institutions for supply log the information and promoting fraternal feelings that will nip any tr>"b"e in the bud. It. has been ooint.ed out that to permit the great number of men to return without something being done in the direction resolved unon bv the meeting last

productive of perilous political consequences. There is a humane side to

the question, but for the moment that is not being touched upon, we want settlers throughout our immense and wealthy district to think the thing out from a practical as well as from a sentimental and humane point cf view. Several well-to-do settlers have already exhibited seme enthusiasm, backed by promises of considerable monetary support, and they will no doubt rally round the committee appointed to make a Taihape branch of the Soldiers' Association an established fact, if they do not actually go on the committee and render.that aid present members may be incapable of giving so effectually. There need be no fears 'ibout the ultimate of the work taken in hand, for. without beine:. accused of we can in all moripst.v sav that Taihane has done admirably in comnar : son with all other narts of New Zea'and, in furnishing both men and money towards maintainins: the freedom of the peonle of our Fn-irnrfi. To ston now, without something; bein<? for our returnee nnd returning braves, who have made most. erlori<~"s pasres in our vrung country's history, would, indeed, be disregarding one of our most pressing obligations.