WELCOME HOME.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3615, 30 October 1920, Page 4

WELCOME HOME.

BANQUET TO SOLDIERS. A GREAT ASSEMBLAGE. The Town Hall last night was packed with an assemblage of about 350 returned soldiers and citizens, the occasion being a banquet and rc-union tendered by the citizens as u welcome home to the returned soldiers of the town and district. Of those present, more than 200 were returned soldiers. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. J. Jobliu) presided, and Mr. A. Leighton was toastmaster.

After the toast ‘'The King’’ had been honoured, Mr. O. V. Morris Contributed a song, which was well received. i

Apologies for inability to attend were received from Messrs. R. ,W. Smith and W. Glenn, M’s.P., BrigadierGeneral Mel drum, and Mr. C. W. Batten.

The toast “Our Returned Soldiers” was proposed by Mr*. J. R. Cunnxhghaine, who referred to the excellent work which had been done by the soldiers of Hew Zealand during the great war. The returned soldier to-day was a man who was honoured and respected -by all. They were the guests of the evening, and the citizens were endeavouring to show to some extent their appreciation of the soldiers and of the work 'done by them. He was pleased to *,see -so many present, and ■lie assured them that they were all pleased to have them there that evening.

In responding to the toast on behalf of the returned soldiers, Colonel Melville said he was pleased to be present at a function of that kind. He thanked them for the enthusiastic way in which they had honoured the toast. The soldiers had had their hard times, but they had also had their happy times in France. He was sure that they all appreciated fully the honour which had been done them by the citizens of Taihape. . The toast of the “Taihape and District Patriotic Society” was proposed by Corporal E. T. Hill, who mentioned that the work done by the Taihape Society had been appreciated. IHe knew that the people of the district had subscribed a large sum of money, and that the amount subscribed locally was proportionately greater than in any other district. It was necessary that the funds should be conserved, on account of the number of recurring cases,* and he was pleased to be able to say that the local Society had done such excellent work for the “Dig-

gers ’ In responding, Mr. E. A. Davies (president of the Patriotic Society) gave an interesting account of how the patriotic fund was initiated, and of how the money raised was being utilised, he regretted that the toast had not been entrusted to someone who had been more intimately connected with the Society in the past. He agreed as to the need for conserving a fund fqr those recurring cases which would need assistance for a long time to come. Among those who were intimately connected with the Society at its inception were Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith, who had done splendid work. He would also like to emphasise the good work clone by the returned soldiers sub-commit-tees. which had the most difficult part, of the work to do. The Society was acting in the best interests of the soldiers, and would continue to do so. The toast “Our Comrades Gone West” was entrusted to CaptainChaplain T. P. Connelly, and the toast was reverently honoured in silence. “The Army and Navy” was oreposed by Mr. E. Gardner, who referred to the great work done by the amiy and navy in the light for the freedom of the world. Tim one could scarcely be effective without the other, and they owed their existence to-day as a

free nation, to the offcimcv of their army and navy. In responding. Dr G. .N. McDiarmid regretted that Major Glenn was not present to suitably reply, as with his experience he would appreciate fully what had been said by Mr Gardner. Personally, his owm share had been small: but he was proud to have been associated with one section of Our army, and he felt if. an honour to reply to the toast. H<e thanked them for the way they had drunk the toast, and for their very evident sincerity in

doing so. They could not accuse him

of boasting of our arms, but he agreed with everything Mr Gardner had said about the Army and Navy. Charges had been made against our organisation, lack of equipment, and bungling; but the fact was we were not a military nation. We had met a military machine, and in spite of crticisms of inefficiency had come out on top. He asked them to remember that our 9 Army and Navy were the products of our Empire". They are no separate part of our manhood, but our private peaceful citizens trained to flight for a compelling cause. .If the need arose again, which God forbid, our Army and Navy would be reborn. He asked them to honour another toast; the parents of our Army and Navy; our Empire.

The toast of “The Pensions Department” was proposed by Private E. Lonihau, who said that as secretary of the R.S.A. he had had many dealings with the Pensions Department. He knew, and every returned man knew, that the Pensions Departments had always given them a fair deal. If there were any grievances they could not be against the Board, which simply had to administer the law as It was laid down for them. In some cases there may be an element or but it was his experience that the Board usually gave the soldier the benefit of the doubt. It was not possible for the Board to keep in constant touch with every soldier and to know the varying disabilities of a soldier, as the Department was in Wellington and thfe soldiers were scattered all over the country between the North Cape and the Bluff. He was certain that if any soldier thought he was not getting a fair deal, and represented his case fairly the Board would give him a fair deal. They knew, that the returned soldiers were not satisfied with the pensions scale, as the maximum was not adequate

•when granted, and there had been a big increase in the cost of living. They were fighting fbr an increased scale, and he felt that they would get it. The present scale was not adequate, but

the administration was excellent in every way.

Mr G. Fache, Commissioner of Pensions. in responding to the toast, thanked them for the way in which the toast had been honoured. He more appreciated what had been said on account of it coming from the returned soldiers. So far as the Pensions Board was concerned, it endeavoured to administer the law sympathetically, but was bound by what provisions had been placed on the Statute Book. The Board had to administer.. the Act. as they found it, and were doing so to the best of their ability. He mentioned the progress made by the Department since its inception, anjj the difficulties they had experienced in carrying on the work efficiently. Members of the staff were resigning and going to the Front, and they had to employ a large number of girls to do the work. After the war they gave preference to returned soldiers, who now practically comprised the staff. They required more return-

ed soldiers, and if any returnee soldiers here wanted a position lie could apply to the Department for one.. So far as tlie present pensions scale was concerned, be could not say what alterations were proposed, as he did not

•have the confidence of the Governj ment, but he could tell them that If j the scale was increased, the Board | would administer the new scale a® sympathetically as it did the old scale. Other toasts on the list were: “The Defence Department.” “Taihape Women’s Working Club,” “The Parlia 1 ment of New Zealand,?” “Repatriation Department,” “Taihape and District Returned Soldiers Association,’’ “ReQ Cross Society,” “The Citizens of Taihape,V “Our Wives and Sweethearts,’* and “The Press.” Vocal items were contributed between the toasts by Messrs J. Wham, ’ O. V Morris, R. Smith, F. McSweency, A. James, J. Renwick, F. Graham, ana A.. Thompson. Messrs S. Dash, J, Sinclair and J. Renwick providing the accompaniments.

The catering was done by Mr P 'E* Wakeman, arid left nothing to be desired. the repast provided being really

excellent,

The secretary, Mr F. Marlow, and a committee consisting of Messrs J. E-. Cnnninghame, G. Wrightson, E. McLauglilan, and S. Dunbar, had a most strenuous time in carrying out the arrangements for providing such a huge gathering, and the success of their ef-

forts proved that a better committee could not possibly have been selected.

It is doubtful whether the Town Hall ever presented a more interesting banqueting scene than that viewed from the stage last evening. Tables were Tanged in four parallel lines - nearly the full length of the auditorium, a cross table being at the stage end. In the centre of the cross table sat the Mayor, and on either side ef hln wore seated various local speakers, and visitors. ISTotable among the visitors were, of course, Mr. Fache, of the p-- ■ dons Department, and Colonel Melville, of

the Palmerston Military District. When

the guests of honour had taken theii places the scene was an intensely amuuated one, and it was not long beforethe heavily laden tables began to show beyond denial that the utmost was being made of the ample supply choice viands and wines furnished for Digger delectation. The men let. themselves go into the spirit of the function. and it need not be said that guest took his full quota of out of it.

Too much praise cannot be given the committee of management; they pTit into tangible form nil that any body of burgesses Could very well hope for; and they left nothing undone in. flitting around the tables seeing that nothing was out of reach of the re-, turned men when wanted. The citizens of Taihape have shown their appreciation cf the services the '

men rendered «to the British Empire and its homes, and the men left the banquetting room giving every indication that they were fully satisfied with the welcome ho.me accorded them. The function closed shortly after midnight.