MIRAMAR R.S.A.

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 1, 1 July 1935, Page 17

MIRAMAR R.S.A.

SUCCESSFUL SMOKE CONCERT

Some seventy-five returned soldiers belonging to Miramar met at a smoke concert arranged by the Miramar auxiliary of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association on Saturday evening. The chairman of the auxiliary (Mr.- C. O. Bell) presided, and the Wellington R.S.A. was represented by the president (Lieut.- Colonel A. Cowles). Representatives of several other auxiliary committees were also present. The evening was spent in discussing matters of interest to returned soldiers, community singing, and musical items, and a toast list was honoured. . The proceedings commenced with the loyal toast and the chairman welcomed the visitors. "Fallen Comrades" were remembered, the chairman sounding the "Last Post," and then the meeting settled down to business. Mr. Bell said that the social was arranged to increase interest in the committee's activities and so that all returned soldiers in the district would know what was being done for their less fortunate comrades. He read the annual report, which was presented to the annual meeting of the auxiliary, and invited those present to comment on it. Colonel Cowles complimented the auxiliary on the work done during the year, and said that it was much better for the "Diggers" to stand together and help each other than to rely altogether on the assistance that could be secured from the Government. He referred briefly to the proposed War Veterans' Allowances Bill, and asked all members to ask for the passage of the Bill through Parliament. Mr. Gordon Harcourt, patron of the Miramar auxiliary, also congratulated the committee, and referred to the need of support from all returned men who could help in any way. THE PARENT ASSOCIATION. Proposing the toast of the parent association the vice-chairman (Mr. O. G. Smith) said that while he did not always see eye to eye with the Wellington R.S.A., credit had to be given for the excellent work that was done. The president, vice-president, and secretary were always ready to attend to the wants of any returned soldier, and their work was of tremendous value to them aIL Colonel Cowles said the Wellington E.S A. did its' best, but he felt he had more to thank the R.S.A. for than the association had to thank him for. He had been backed by a splendid executive, and that had enabled him to do a little. He appealed to all unemployed ex-servicemen to enrol with the auxiliary so that the association could help them. By working together and helping one another those in employment secured a spiritual gain, and those unemployed a material gain. It was that sort of help that kept.the spirit of the R.S.A. alive. Referring to the proposed parade on August 4, Colonel Cowles said the proposal had been taken up wrongly in the Press. No returned soldier wanted war again—it was needless to say they did not. The parade was not to glorify war but to pray for peace. The bells would play "God Save the King," a short service would be held, and then there would be a prayer for peace. "We all want peace," he said, "and while we would never lie down and let anyone walk over us, we don't want to have to fight again. We all pray for a continuance of peace, and August 4 is the time to do it." In conclusion Colonel Cowles described, what was being done to secure work for returned men. AH the funds of the association had to go towards helping members and any social meeting arranged by headquarters had to pay for itself. TREASURER RECOGNISED. At a suitable interval the chairman referred to the origin of the Miramar auxiliary and said that Lieutenant A. H. King, M.C., had acted as treasurer from the start. The annual meeting had passed a resolution asking the committee to recognise the work that the treasurer had done. Several members of the auxiliary spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr. King's work, and Colonel Cowles presented him with a framed copy of "Carillon" as a token of the appreciation of the auxiliary. Mr. King, he said, had had a brilliant record in the war, and his record in civil life was just as good. It was due to Mr. King and the treasurers of the other auxiliaries that so much good work had been done in the suburbs. Mr. King thanked the committee and said that he did not know why he was singled out fpr recognition. A member: We do. Mr. King concluded by referring to the work that had been done by other committee members. Other toasts honoured were "Sister Auxiliaries," proposed by Mr. B. Climo and replied to by Messrs. Bell (Seatoun), Wickens (Kilbirnie), and May (Brooklyn); "The Press," and "The Entertainers."

Mr. G. A. Wilson led the communitysinging, and during the evening musical items were contributed by Messrs. G. Wilson, F. Histed, C. Antonelli, D. Foley, J. Cook, and J. Taylor.