STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in tte Tqr&nakl Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatives, Wilson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be loft with them. SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS. August 18. The annual reunion of the members of the Stratford branch of the South African War Veterans’ Association was held at the Town Hall last night, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) presiding, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. De Launay, who has recently completed a tour of the North Island with object of establishing the association as a Dominion organisation, was present, and gave a very interesting resume of his tour. He first went to Wellington to find out what had been done since the conference held in September last, and get the necessary authority to proceed throughout New Zealand as organiser. He found that matters were not satisfactory, and brought the position before headquarters, with the result that Mr. Haselden was now Dominion secretary and matters were on a much better basis. Mr. Simpson, president of the Hastings branch, was instrumental in calling the conference, when officers were appointed. At a result of representations made to the Government regarding the claims of South African veterans, .Mr. Msasey had said that the Government would do the right thing by the South Africans when the claims of the European war soldiers were satisfied. It was intended to give assistance to soldiers in the European war first, Maori veterans second and South African veterans third. There were about 3009 to deal with, and it was thought that these would be attended to by the end of the year. It appeared that the claims of the South African veterans had every chance of being satisfied. There were about 1000 to provide for, and those who were 65 years of age deserved the pensions at once. Branches of the association had been formed in New Plymouth, Stratford, Hawera, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Auckland, North Auckland, Gisborne, Hastings, Hamilton, Christchurch, Tim ar u and South Canterbury, and he hoped to hear soon of branches at Nelson, Napier and Thames. This was very satisfactory. Auckland had not supported a Dominion association, con- : sidering that a Dominion secretary in Wellington should be sufficient. The Auckland Association look exception to the ' design of the badge, and he intended to i move at the next conference that the Auckland design should be adopted. Mr. De Launay quotefl letters showing the increased interest taken in South African matters since his appointment as organiser. lie believed that the, association was on a sound basis, ami would soon be on as satisfactory a fooling as the Returned Soldiers’ Association. The speaker thought that the privileges extended to Public Service officials who took part in the European war should also be given the South Afri- | cans. ■ Mr. De Launay’s remarks received a j most attentive hearing, and he was heartily • applauded at the conclusion of his address. I A lengthy toast list was gone through, and there was also an attractive musical programme. ‘'GENERAL. Mr. C. A. Gray returned to Stratford yesterday, after a holiday in Christchurch. An effort is to be made in Stratford next week week to raise money to assist rhe work of the local Salvation Army. On Tuesday, Wcdnsedhy and Thursday next the Town Hall will be the scene of a fair and bazaar, and it is hoped to raise a large sum of money for local purposes. It is intended to build a new Sunday school, the, present building not being big enough to accommodate the 130 ’children who attend the. school. All who have promised donations are asked io leave them at the Medina Tea Rooms not later than next Saturday. In another column Mr. T. I. Lamason draws attention to his sale next Saturday, when a great variety of articles will be offered, including household furniture. The sale will commence at 1.30. KING’S CINEMA THEATRE. “ALF’S BUTTON” TO-NIGHT. A cleverly-conceived variation of the well-known fairy tale of Aladdin’s Lamp, “Alf’s Button” might be dubbed a direct descendant of that famous household ari tide. The story, which will he filmed at j the King’s Cinema to-night, brings back i Alf Tggins, of “Better ’Ole” fame, the role being splendidly played by Leslie Henson, • one of England’s foremost comedians, and ; the discovery that one of his buttons on l his new tunic has the magic qualities of I Aladdin’s lamp leads to many amazing adventures on the part of Alf and his pals. Envelopes.—Thousands of them, at cut prices: Buff Manilla, commercial size, S/G box of 500, 16/- 1000; Azure Manilla, small size for accounts 4/- box of 230, 15/- ]OOO. Call or write early and get a supply.—Wilson Bros., printers and stationers, Stratford.