SOLDIERS’ REUNION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 154, 11 April 1930, Page 3

SOLDIERS’ REUNION

A POPULAR FUNCTION. OVER 250 MEN TAKE PART. BRITAIN’S WORLD INFLUENCE. That there has been no diminution of "the spirit of comradeship fostered under conditions of the utmost hardship was amply in Ashburton last evening, when about 250 returned soldiers and a number of nurses took part in the annual reunion and dinner in His Majesty’s Theatre. Five long tables and several small ones were necessary to accommodate those who attended. The Mayor (Mr R. Galbraith) presided, and with him were General Sir Andrew Russell, Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., Sir William Nosworthy, Mr F. Milner, Colonel J. Studholme, Messrs J. Carr (County Chairman), J. H. Grigg, E. B. Newton, Colonel John Findlav, Dr. W. J. Mullin, the Rev. A. J. Petrie, Mrs Galbraith, Mrs Studholme and Miss E. J. Watt. , Apologies were received from MajorGeneral R. Young, C. 8., C.M.G., D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C. (Officer Commanding New Zealand Military Forces), Brigadier M. M. Gard’ner, D.S.O. (Officer Commanding Southern Command), the Rev. W. Grigg (chaplain), Lady Nosworthy, Sister Munro, Mr C. R. Orr Walker, Mrs J. Grigg, Mr and Mrs Arthur Grigg, and Mr and Mrs T. J. Hunter. The Forces Eulogised. The loyal toast, haying been honoured Mr Burnett proposed the toast of “The Navy, Army and Air Forces.” It was a unique gathering, he thought. Ashburton was known far and wide for its annual reunion of returned men. He was pleased to see Sir Andiew Russell present. The Forces, lie said, were the spearpoint with which a nation met the invasions of other nations. At one time it looked as if a man had to be born in Ireland to be a great soldier, or in Devon to be a great sailor. He had mixed with men who had fathers at Waterloo and at Quatre Bras, and he had been brought up to think much of the Forces. The Navy was the greatest force for civilisation that had ever been known. We must not leave this country defenceless; we must see that whatever force was adopted, in the air, on the sea, or on the land, that it was the best and most adequate for our defence. No matter how great a pacifist country we might be, he'could not see that the' time was yet ripe for the weakening of our forces. (Applause.) Work of the R. S. A. In response, Sir Andrew Russell, who was greeted with warm applause when he rose to speak, said that, coming from a family closely associated with the Forces over a long period of years, it came more or less easy for him to speak. A great part of the population of New Zealand had sprung from Army and Navy stock, and the spirit which moved us in the Great War no doubt came from those ancestors. The speaker went on to refer to the work of the Returned Soldiers’ Association headquarters in Wellington. Throughout New Zealand the Association was growing every day, branches were being formed and branches were being resuscitated. Some other bodies of' soldiers known by various names were linking up with the Association, recognising that it was better to work together as one unit. A few years ago the membership fell to its minimum of 6000, but since then had been gaining about 2000 a year. Misleading Literature.

A good deal of the literature about the war now being put on the market was very misleading- to the younger generation. He found these books classing the soldiers as brutes and beasts of the field. He thought not one man present had the outlook that a book like “All Quiet on the Western Front” led people to believe existed . among the troops. He went on to speak of the value of the lessons of Poppy Day and Anzac Day on the children of the present day. New Zealand •did not do so well with Poppy Day collections as did England. A more complete organisation was needed. The cause was an excellent one, having the aims of remembrance of the men. who had gone and the assistance of deserving cases now. He thought it was a good idea to have outside speakers at the functions in Ashburton to bring in fresh ideas. Settling Returned Men.

Regarding the rehabilitation of soldiers, Sir Andrew Russell spoke of some of the efforts put forward in England. Something of this kind might with profit be adopted in this country. Though there was over £200,000 in the Canteen Fund, and thbugh the fund might offer to go to the country and offer all this on a £ for £ subsidy, there would be little enough to carry cut the scheme here. Settling returned men;was costing from £70,000 to £BO,OOO a year. If some system could be set up of finding employment for the men led to some better method of finding employment the money would be far from lost. Surely we could look to the returned soldiers for common sense. They had been through an experience that had sobered them—when there was no drink about—and they numbered many influential men in their ranks. New Zealand was up against it, but so was every other country. We should take stock, balance our books, and look facts in the face. He was sure that we could display the same patience and endurance (that had been shown in the Great War. Changes were impending in our system of defence, and there was one thing he hoped would not be withdrawn from the Statutes, and that was the onus put on everyone to give some tribute of service to his countrv. Every young fellow should feel that his country had a claim on him. Sir Andrew Russell added that he had that day seen the War Affemorial and the soldiers’ plots at the cemetery, and he thought it would be a good idea that if on every tombstone above an ex-soldier’s grave some distinctive emblem was placed, such as a fernleaf. (Applause.) “The Men Gone West.” The silent toast of “The Men Gone West” was proposed by the Rev. A. J. Petrie, who said that time worked many changes, and it was 12 years and more since the men fell. Time healed wounds, but it would never make us forget the lads who fell at the front. It could not efface their memory. There was a great feeling now that war was wrong. We felt that in itself it was wrong, but in all our efforts to get rid of the blight, we should consider the cause of war. It lay with man himself. The men who fell, as well as those who remained, must bear part of the responsibility for the war. The men who fell and those who remained were not saints, but they were men, and the women who gave their lives were women. They were essentially great-hearted and true. The love* of man for man in the trenches was greater and finer than the love of

man for woman. He was pleased to hear Sir Andrew Russell decry the literature on war now being circulated. There were dark spots on the soldiers, and also on the civilians, but the literature referred to was a, ghastly travesty of mankind. He urged, a large attendance of ex-soldiers at the Anzac Day services as something of an inspiration to the children, not of war, but of the comradeship of man for man. By their words and. their actions they should put an absolute ban on literature of the type lie had spoken of. The toast of “Returned Sisters and Men” was proposed by Mr F. Milner, who said he felt it a great honour to propose such a toast. He had always carried away from Ashburton a vivid recollection of the honour and esteem in which the town and district held its returned men. He hoped someone would give toward the saying of the amenities now open to the men. He had been able to pay a tribute to the men who had fallen, and words were really a. sheer impertinence. He wanted them to know how much lie felt being able to pay this tribute. Speaking of 'his world tour, Mr Milner said he travelled with Australians, and had a hard time dissociating New land from Australia. We were proud of our individuality, and liked to assert it, without showing any animosity. The Loyalty of Canada.

Speaking of Canada, he said lie had had the impression that it was becoming Americanised, but it was _ a huge relief to him to find how intensely British Canada was. (Applause.) In many respects it seemed Americanised on the surface. It was working out its own individuality., but it was immensely proud of its association i\ ith the rest of the British Empire, and of its wonderful heritage from the Mother Country. He had gone through the industrial States of America,, and was amazed at the tremendous mass pi o* duction going on there. He had found American influence everywhere he went in Europe, and it had made England sit up and take notice of it. It struck him that it was high time the Old Country changed its fiscal policy. (Applause.) We knew we had the strongest sentimental ties with the Old Land, and we should see that we kept them in view. Goods produced under sweated conditions in Europe and the massed; . products of America were being dumped into England, putting out of work many British workmen to swell the already heavy rolls of. the unemployed. (Speaking of the influences of the British in other countries, Mr Milner referred to his visit to Germany, where he saw the Army of Occupation. These, men had none of the swagger associated with some soldiers. They were the very essence of the British Army. “You might think it was all eye wash when you saw it stated that the people of Germany regrettel the departure of the British troops,” said Mr Milner, “but I can assure you that those people were genuinely sorry to see the men go.” Air Milner went on to speak of his visit to Egypt, where, lie said, the British troops were essential to the safety of the country and of the Suez Canal. The natives were so open to corruption and so susceptible to influences, chiefly Bolshevism. Arabs and Jews respected the British soldier; it could be seen everywhere. Whatever had been said of the old Tommy, we had to take off our hats to the postwar Tommy who was upholding the honour of the Empire all over the world. (Applause.) Bumpy and Slow Process.

In response to the toast, Mr M'., P. W. Blathwayt expressed the sincere thanks of the meni and the sisters for the brilliant, manner in which Mr Milner had proposed it. His response would be incomplete if no reference were "made to the soldiers’ friend, Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman (applause), but more would he heard of that later. Hie soldiers were just settling down. It had taken a long time, but the process was bumpy and slow. Whereas they purposely avoided war subjects m 1920, now they were pleased to get together and refer to the past. The bond was strengthening, as the Returned Soldiers’ Association membership increase showed. Their experiences overseas showed that they had greater responsibilities now. (Applause). On behalf of the Returned Soldiers Association, Colonel John Findlay> referred to the delight the men ’ had shown at having General Russell with them, for they were very proud of him. He had set a fine example to the men, so was it anyi wonder the men behaved themselves. (Applause). The speaker went on to refer to the goodwill in which the Club Committee was held by the Association, and presented* to Mr Galbraith a handsome aneroid barometer, hearing a suitable inscription oni a silver plate. > ■ Accepting the gift, Air Galbraith said it marked the bond of friendship between the Association and the Club. He reminded returned men that the Club was open to them free all the year round. A hearty welcome awaited all who attended there. The final toast of the evening, “lhe Ladies,” was proposed by Dr W. J. Mullin, and was replied to by Mr J. 1. Thomas. Dr. Mullin spoke in his best humorous vein. The re-»nion broke up after the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Items on the musical programme were contributed by Mesdames F. Chalmers and C. Parsons, Messrs A. C. Wilson, A. H. Todd, E. R. Hopwhod, and Dr. N. E. H. Fulton.

THE SOLDIERS’ CLUB. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Ashburton Soldiers’ Club was held last evening, Mr R. Galbraith presiding over a large attendance. The financial statement for the year was adopted. The election of officers resulted: — Patron, Mr .T. H. Grigg; president, Mill. Galbraith; vice-president, Mr E. B. Newton; honorary secretary, Mr W. H. Amos: committee, Messrs H. Morris, 11. R. C. McElrea, F. Z. D. Ferriman (civilians'., H. Smallbone, E. Marsh and L. J. Fowke (soldiers).