LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1922, Page 7

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

NORTH TARANAKI TROOP. As was expected there was a large attendance at the annual dinner held under the auspices of the North Taranaki Troop (Waitara), on Thursday evening, over 70 comrades being present. The gathering was a representative one, as almost every troop and unit in Taranaki was represented. The squadron headquarters was represented by Lieut.-Colonel Weston, Lieuts. Hunter and Goldsworthy, and Secretary Brokenshire. The chair was occupied by Lieut. Troop Leader Laing (North Taranaki Troop), who extended a hearty welcome to the visiting comrades, if such were necessary, as it is always recognised that wherever Frontiersmen exist, there visiting comrades are sure of a hearty welcome. Prior to partaking of the sumptuous repast provided, the assemblage stood in silence for a few moments in honor of the memory of departed comrades. After partaking of dinner a lengthy toast list was honored. The toast of

“The King” gave Frontiersmen the opportunity of showing their unswerving loyalty. “The Legion” was proposed by Comrade H. F. Brabant and responded to by Lieut. Goldsworthy, who, in explaining the objects of the legion, said that some people held the opinion that the organisation was almost purely military. That was not so. The main object was the welding of the Empire and to make it so strong that no foreign Power would endeavor to destroy it. “The Navy and Army” was proposed by Frontiersman J. R. Soffe, coupled with the names of Frontiersmen W. F. M'Allum, D. Evans, and W. Hawke. “Other Troops” was proposed by Troop Leader Lieut. Laing and ably responded to by Frontiersmen Gill, Bertrand and T. J. O’Neill on behalf of Egmont, Paritutu and Ati-awa. Lieut.-Colonel Weston, in replying to the toast of “Squadron Headquari ters,” made reference to the vast changes that were being made in military organisation. The army of yesi terday was not the army of to-day. The trend was to discard the human element and replace it by a mechanical army. Of course they always had to have the “man behind the gun.” At present it appeared that it was a case of “marking time” as regarding military preparations. On this occasion headquarters looked upon the visit that evening as an official one and hoped to visit other troops and units a little later on. Last year the visit to the Ati-awa Troop was the big event, but this year it was hoped that there would •be at least five big troops to visit. All the troops were doing well and were all making their own headway without assistance from headquarters. The troops in Taranaki had been most •fortunate in the selection of their leaders and the occasion of the annual camp gave an excellent opportunity for them to meet. The last camp had proved very successful; still he was in hopes that the next one would prove even more successful. “Dominion Headquarters” was proposed by Frontiersman M'Grath and responded to by Lieut.-Colonel Weston. “The Frontier” was proposed by Frontiersman Padre Gavin (North Taranaki Troop). Other toasts honored were: “The Legion's Daughter,” “The Ladies” and “The Press.” The speeches during the evening were interspersed with vocal, elocutionary and musical items. Those responsible in a great degree for the evening’s enjoyment were: Messrs. Hoy, McDonald. Andrews, Lieut.-Colonel Weston, Lieuts. Goldsworthy, Fowler, Grant and Frontiersman Laing.