SOLDIERS’ NIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 8

SOLDIERS’ NIGHT.

RE-UNION AT NEW PLYMOUTH, R.S.A. SMOKE CONCERT. About 150 returned eoldiers assembled at the re-union smoke concert organised by the New Plymouth R.S.A., which took place on Saturday night, and a convivial evening was spent by "the boys.” Mr. Mac Diarmid (president of the association) occupied the chair. Among those who sent apologies for absence were Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., C. H. Burgess, F. de Launay (South African veterans) andand Colonel Evans (hon. chaplain). A lengthy toast list was honored, and this was interspersed with numerous musical items by local and visiting talent. Proceedings opened with the Loyal toast, "The King,” proposed by the chairman. "'The Navy and Army” was proposed by Mr. R. Robertson (Wellington), an ex-member of the Seaforth Highlanders, who referred to the splendid work of both branches, and also to the feeling of comraderie existing between his regiment and the New Zealanders. Replying, Brigadier-General Meldrum referred to the fact that New Zealanders now had a sort of proprietary interest both in the navy and army. In the army there was no need to mention the ser-' vices New Zealanders gave, but he thought they were sometimes apt to overlook the fact that New Zealanders also served in the navy. One of them. Lieut.-Commander Sanders, had earned a distinction which would ensure that his name would be repiembered as long as New Zealand was known. “ABSENT COMRADES.” A toast which is never missing from these gatherings, that of “Absent Comrades,” was fittingly honored. In proposing the toast Mr. C. A. Treadwell (Wellington) said he thought it was f reminder not only of their comrades who had gone, but also of their duty to the present, and also to posterity. Though mingled with a certain amount of sad- | nees. there was also a degree of pyide ; which must fill the breach of any man j when he contemplated the effect of the 1 toast of “'Absent Comrades.” It rei called at once the thoughts of some particular pal who had gone, and a friend j perhaps whom one had met for the first ; time during the war. The toa-st reminded them that they mus« all keep before them the principles for which these men died, so that the coming generation would remember with extreme 1 gratitude and pride the nobleness of j their death and the honor which they I nchieve<l. i “Kindred Associations,” was referred ito by Colonel Weston, and responses | were made by Messrs. J. Purcell (on be- ' half of the “Aussies”)., P. McKinnon j (Legion of Frontiersmen), E. J. Sole | (Citizens’ Band) and D. Evans (South I African veterans). Mr. Evans remarki ed the fact that there was a movement ■ afoot to secure the affiliation of the S.A. , veterans with the R.S.A., and he thought I ’ this would soon he an accomp’ished fact. 'He expressed rhe. opinion that the local I association was very fortunate in havi ing such two godd officoris as Messrs. I Mac Diarmid and =Roper. and he urged all member to give them hearty support. I Colonel Mejdrum proposed the '■Hth ] Regiment (Taranaki Rifles),” and touch•cd on the historic, traditions attaching |to the regiment. During the late war

the Taranaki Rifles were part of the I Well in'. T h»n Regiment, under their then cpmniander. Colonel Malone, one* of the • most thorough men be had met and one [of the strongest personalities when it . .Tijip to the real thing. Colonel Malone was one of the Now Zealanders whom Sir Inn Hamilton had seen fit to mention in his despatches. DUTY OF EX-SOLDIERS. •'•The R.S.A.” was proposed by Mr. D. J. Hughes, who remarked that, the organisation embraced many things, and be appealed to all members, for the sake . of the country, to take a very intelli--4 gent interest in Ihe civic procedure. He • would particularly Ike to see lhe. R.S.A, impure representaton on land boards. He believed lhe soldiers had been placed on lands of second-chiss description, and - that these properties had depreciated 40 per coni, as the result of I lie <?lump in the price of products. They should also try to improve the politatmosphere of the country whereby the men who were put'into Parliament to deal with things national would be representative of a majority vote. Replying. Mr. Mac Diarmid -aid the association had never heen on a bettor footing, a result duo to the work of the secretary (Mr. Roper). Having achieved their objects in the way of securing demands, more and more attention was being devoted to the'social aide, through their climb. In regard to Mr. Hughes' rem.irki on land board representation, he thought, in justice to the local board, it could be said of them that they had played the game, as far as it was posidbje for a branch of a big department to do. They had been most sympathetic In dealing with affairs. Concluding, Mr. Mac Diarmid said that anything they had achieved during the wan waa due to team effort, and he desired to see this team spirit, carried on. In the local association they should work as a team for the betterment of New Zealand. They were not a political party but could make their influence felt in citizenship. I The secretary of the assocati .11 (Mr. G. Roper) emphasised the need of all helping the association, and he said, if they did not do this it was impossible ; . to ask the public to help them. There was a need for each individual to push the association along; but they had not collectively realised this yet. or they would not have allowed the falling off in the membership of the association. It was worth its existence for the work it was doing in looking after returned men’s interests, and each member I should try to maintain Its position and get others to join.

Other toasts included •'•’The Visitors” (proposed by Mr. A. Solomon and responded to by Mr. D, Robertson). Songs were contributed during the evening by Messrs. A. North, B. I’. Bellringer, I{. MacDonald and D. Robertson; duetr., by Messrs. North and Ganister; violin solo by Mr. Murphy; and items by the New Plymouth quartette (Messrs. F. Hooker, W. Okey, A. North, and A. MacDonald). Accompaniments were played by Mr. N. Bellringer.