MEDICAL CORPS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20314, 13 August 1931, Page 11

MEDICAL CORPS.

FIRST REUNION. The first annual reunion of the New Zealand Medical Corps, including the Christchurch Bearer Corps and the No. 3 and No. 6 Field Ambulance, was held last night in the Veterans' Hall, when Dr. J. Restell Thomas presided over an attendance of about 130. After the loyal toast, that of "Absent Comrades" was honoured by those present standing in silence. Mr O. E. Ferris, in proposing the toast "Army, Navy, and Air Forces," made an appeal for more concentration in retaining a permanent, up-to-date, and efficient army, and deplored the present-day tendency towards pacifism. He said that it was the paramount duty of the British nation to preserve the peace of the world, and nothing but her own destruction and the destruction of other nations and countries could result from British disarmament. Lieutenant-Colonel S. C. P. Nicholls, in replying to the toast, said that in England to-day it was stated by the War Ministry that reductions in expenditure on armaments had reached rock-bottom, and it was realised as the result of many years' experience that the other nations were not going to follow Great Britain's example of disarmament. Referring to the new system of voluntary recruiting in New Zealand, Lieutenant-Colonel Nicholls said that the influence of former members of the Medical Corps could bo used to great advantage to secure recruits for the newly-constituted corps. He was amazed to see the rather poor response to the call for recruits for the new corps, *as compared with that for the other divisions, as the Medical Corps provided valuable instruction. However, a better response was expected in the next few months. Other toasts honoured were:—"New Zealand Medical Corps," "The Returned Soldiers' Association," "The Christchurch Bearer Corps," and "The Press and Performers." Numerous items were given during the evening.