LINK WITH PAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1939, Page 6

LINK WITH PAST

LORD GALWAV ADDRESSES RETURNED SOLDIERS CONFERENCE OPENED IN WELLINGTON. SUPPORT FOR RECRUITING SOUGHT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “You are a link between the past and present—you are a link because you are survivors of those who responded last time a call was made for defence service, and you have an undoubted influence in defence,” said the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) addressing the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association conference. Lord Galway said he was glad to declare the conference open once more. His attendance was tinged with regret, because it was the last time he would meet representatives of the association in conference. His term as GovernorGeneral was expiring. He would not forget his association with the returned soldiers of New Zealand, nor the hearty welcome they had always given him to their meetings. “May I ask you,” he said, “to use all your influence to help the recruiting movement.” The skies were dark in Europe and all through the Empire., an attempt was being made to strengthen defences. If we had strength, we were not likely to be called upon to take up arms. He emphasised the importance of training young men, because modern arms were so complicated that their use could not be learned at a moment's notice.

The delegates were welcomed to Wellington by the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) who made reference to the celebrating of the Centennial. They would all have to do their part to make the celebrations a success. He was glad to know that the association would be represented at the Exhibition through a display of the work of disabled men through the Soldiers Civil Re-estab-lishment League. He invited them to visit the Exhibition site, offering to make arrangements for their conveyance.