ANNUAL REUNION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20251, 1 June 1931, Page 4

ANNUAL REUNION.

VETERANS' ASSOCIATION.

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR MEMORIES. The twenty-ninth annual reunion, of South African soldiers was held at the Veterans' Association Hall on Saturday evening. There Teas a crowded gathering, and in the course of the evening the roll of all the contingents that went to South Ah-ica was called. Mr H. Collins presided.

In proposing the toast of "Absent Comrades," the Rev. A. H. Norris, C.F., said the loss sustained by the Canterbury Regimont in tho South African War had been considerable. He mentioned several names for special remembrance.

A tribute to the work of the Navy, Army, and Air Force was paid by Mr W. W. P. Scarff, in proposing the toast of' the three Services. Many men who had gone to South Africa had been told that they were going to a picnic, just as had happened in the last war. He hoped there would never be another war, and he was sure that none of those present wanted one. Work for Fellow-Members. "The Veterans' Association has been brought to my notice lately because of tho work it has done in looking after those of its members —and others—who are in distressed circumstances," said Major E. A. Row, O.C. Southern Command. "It is necessary for every organisation, and individual, to thijsk of that side their work in these times." He went on to speak of the volunteer movement. "Tho tendency to-day is to look for political scapegoats," said Mr A. H. Joseph, in proposing the toast of "Our Parliament." "I hope Mr Holland will bo able to tell us how to vote to ensure that the interests of the country will be considered before Party." He referred to the events of tho South African War and the after-effects on the men who fought in it. Mr H. Holland, M.P., in replying, referred to the unemployment problem, and the general depression, and the need to consider the country before Party. "Of the 63, local bodies I have to deal with; I think the City Council is at the head of the line," said LieutenantColonel F. W. W. Dawson, in proposing the toast of the "City Council." . Ho spoke of tho manner in which the Council attended to the interests of the veterans and of the ratepayers in general. The Mayor's View. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan), in replying to the toast of the City Council, said it was good in times of depression to come to a gathering of which the keynote was cheerfulness. One of the saddest features of tho times was the number of returned 'soldiers who, after serving the country, were now on the bread-line. He hoped, as well for tho civilian'population as for thes>3 men, that the depression, would lift. He agreed with Mr Holland that one of the most effective way of dealing with tho problem was by helping local industry- If people could buy a locally-made article, and instead bought an imported one, the position was tho same as if in times of depression new labour was imported into the country to compete with our own people. The matter had vital and important reactions on the Whole position. Ho concluded with an app'oal to purchase locally made articles first ,it! possible, and, if, not, those made within the Empire. ■ The toast of the Returned Soldiers' Association was proposed by Captain T. Fletcher Telford, who spoke of the advantages of discipline and the comradeship that grew up among the men who served together. At present the Veterans' Association was a strong body, but as its membership grew less it would? finally probably merge with the Returned. Soldiers' Association. In any cause for good it was always better and easier to work with a disciplined body than an undisciplined one. Replying to tho toast, tho Rev. F. T. Read (president of the Returned Soldiers' Association) referred to the functions performed by the Association, particularly in respect of the case of men who were down and out.

The health of the visitors was proposed by Mr G. N. Cresswell, and of the performers by the Rev. F. A. Tooley, C.F. Major T. Charters replied. The entertainment of the evening included songs by Major T. Charters and Mr 0. Flattery, musical numbers by Messrs T, Allryno and F. Woledgc, recitations by Messrs L. Cummings, J. Foster, and C. E. Prycc, and comedy numbers by Messrs Frank Moran and; C. La-wrence. Mr T. Lawrence was the acconipanist.