IMPERIAL SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 10

IMPERIAL SOLDIERS.

ASSOCIATION FORMED.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. With a view to supplying a long-feh want, a meeting was held last evening iu the Unity Hall, Queen Street, for the purpose of forming an Imperial Ex-Ser-vicemen's Association. Between 200 and 300 ex-Imperial men were present, -and the chairman, Mr. P. Taylor, after expressing his delight at the enthusiastic response, gave a general outline of the aims and objects of the proposed association, and introduced Mr. Schubert, the co-convener, who enlarged upon .the subject of the formation of an association, and commented upon the treatment that has been meted out in New Zealand to ex-Imperial men. He particularly referred to various statements that have appeared in the papers in regard to the burden that the ex-Imperial man has become on the funds of the New Zealand Ileturned Soldiers' Association. Mr. Elliott, representing the Old Conteniptibles' Association, assured the meeting of the whole-hearted support and cooperation of the association which he was representing. Messrs. Cree and Dias made a few remarks for the guidance of those intending to become members of the association, the former stressing the point that members should not be only concerned with what they could get out of the organisation, but strongly advised them to put something worth while into it, and particularly their good will and enthusiasm. Information in regard to pensions was given by Mr. Dias. Mr. Hay spoke of the working of Imperial imens associations with which he had been connected in London. On the motion of Mr. Murdocb, an exColdstream guardsman, it was decided to form a committee to draw up the constitution for the new association, and to take in hand the preliminary work. The following were chosen to carry out these duties: —Messrs. P. Taylor, Schubert, Hay, Cree, Rooth, Murdock, Elliott and Dias. A representative of Colonel Marriott, who lias been active in organising the ex-Imperial men, assured the meeting of his hearty support, and the meeting extended to him and his committee a hearty invitation to join with them. Further meetings will be held in the near future.