SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21175, 28 May 1934, Page 12

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Parade and Church Service BISHOP'S APPEAL TO MEN An appeal to men to carry on the fight against evil in something of the same spirit in which they fought during their campaign was made by Bishop West-W-tson, when speaking at a commemoration service of South African war veterans yesterday afteinoon. There had been first the challenge to the Empire by the Boers; the expedition to Table Bay to reduce them to order, and following that the humiliation of the first reverses. Then came the general call to arms, the great advance, and the relief of the fortresses. To all appearances the campaign had been won and the only thing left was to clean up the country and reap the fruits of victory. But the cleaning up was a long and painful story. The whole story of the campaign was an illustration of vhat the world had to face to-d!iy, the Bishop said. Christ had won a victorj against the powers of evil, but had left it to men to clean up and reap the fruits of His efforts. . To the Christian the final issue 01 that task was certain. There was no chance that at the end of the long day sin and Satan would be victorious. Perhaps the campaign would be long and bitter, as was Lord Kitchener s campaign; perhaps it would cost all men had to give of strength and resources, even to life itself; but man had within him the assurance of victory. By his slackness, or the want of faith and sacrifice of the church, the final issue might be delayed, or ground lost, but the victory was certain, for the battle was not his battle, but the battle of the Lord. "The World a Riddle" "But to the man who has not the Christian faith and hope, the world presents an insoluble riddle. He may ask why God allows such things to happen, and may even ask whether there is a God at all. He imagines that if only all conflict and temptation were removed from the world he would lead a wonderful life. And yet, in these days of peace he has a lesson before him that man finds it difficult indeed to reap the blessing of peace. Selfishness and greed and suspicion L'cc.m to flourish. Terrible ;.s we havf; learnt war to be, yet we realise that if peace js used simply to aim at ease and gain, the very fibres of man's being arc related. God made us for fighting, but to fight with evil and not with our neighbours."

How men were to face the evil.:; in the world unless they could have some assurance that the labour was not in | vain was indeed an anxious question, j said Bishop West-Watson. It seemed j sometimes as if the good failed, and hopes were only born to die. The practical man was apt to say that after all men were human, and to give up the struggle to rise. The horror of a great war left men indignant and exhausted. They said that such a thing should not happen again. A League of Nations was planned. Men decided to work together for one another's good. Obviously, it was theonly sensible plan. But as soon as the league was made the old jealousies, envies, and grievances lifted their heads again. Common sense took wing and flew away. "We know that it will mean war again, but we weaken and falter and resign ourselves to the old, dreary round of intrigue and misunderstanding. The Christian Attitude "So million* are still starving in this world of plenty and appear doomed to go on starving, and being out of work and suffering. It seems nobody's fault in particular. But there are men who refuse to despair. Tliey do not see any certain issue, but they refuse to give in. They will hurl themselves against the fortress of evil. They will see what humanity can do for humanity. And their courage is splendid. But what a pity that they should think that the battle is just their own. That nobody else cares. To the Christian there is a better hope. He knows that the battle is the Lord's, and that he has but to play his part as a fellow worker with God and die rather than yield his post, and the victory in which he surely believes will be in a little measure his victory, too." The Parade Approximately 100 veterans paraded at the King Edward Barracks early in the afternoon and marched round to the Cathedral, whore the commemmoration service was held. Colonel F. W. W. Dawson, a vice-president of the Veterans' Association of Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces, was in charge of the parade, and the march to the Cathedral was led by Mr A. H. Joseph, who is the president of the association. The band of the First Canterbury Regiment Infantry, under the conductor, Captain C. H. Hoskin, headed the march, and accompanied the hymns in the Cathedral. The service, which was simple and impressive, was under the direction of the chaplains, Canon A. H. Norris and the Rev. F. A. Tooley. Colonel Dawson read the first lesson and Mr Joseph the second The men were in mufti, with medals, and the gathering included some of the disabled veterans of the campaign. The Rev. F. T. Read, the president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, represented that organisation at the ceremony. A collection was taken up in aid of the Veterans' Association sick and relief fund. Following the service, the parade reformed and marched to Victoria square, where wreaths were placed by members of the association and of the Returned Soldiers' Association on the statue of Queen Victoria. The parade marched past Lieutenant-Colonel S. C. P. Nicholls, officer commanding the Southern Command, who took the salute. A REUNION HELD REMINISCENCES OF VELDT DAYS The annual reunion of the Veterans' Association of Army, Navy, and Auxilliary Forces was held in the association's rooms on Saturday evening, and was well attended, with many representatives of the South Canterbury Association also present. Mr A. H. Joseph was in the chair, and members responded readily to his request that the evening should be made more reminiscent of the days of the veldt. An interesting visitor there was Mr G. Middlebrook, who was official photographer for some newspapers and who had some unique panoramas showing the various stages of several engagements. He also recounted some tales of his adventures on service. Among those from whom apologies' were received were his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe), who is patron of the association, Sir R. Hcaton Rhodes (vice-patron). Mr J. I Goldsmith (Dominion president), Sir Hugh Acland, Mr George Harper, and Colonel F. W. W. Dawson. Toasts honoured during the evening were "The King," "Absent Comrades," proposed by the president, Mr A. H. Joseph; "The Army, Navy, and Air Force," proposed by Mr C. E. Jones, and responded to by Colonel S. C. P. Nicholls, D.5.0.; "The Mayor and City Council," proposed by Mr W. W T .

Dunkley and responded to by the Deputy-Mayor, Mr J. K Archer; "Kindred Associations." proposed by Dr. T. Fletcher Telford, and responded to by the presidents of the various associations: "The Performers," proposed by Mr G. N. Cresswell; and the Press. In proposing the toast of "Absent Comrades" Mr Joseph said that the roll brought back memories of tight corners, obscure graveu, and drawn faces in hospital. Those who had fallen were the forerunners of the spared to penetrate the unknown territories beyond the grave. A Happy Thought "It is a very happy thought that has prompted you to hold your reunion on the anniversary of the birthday of Queen Mary," said Mr C. E. Jones when proposing the toast of the "Army, Navy, and Air Force." He paid a warm tribute to I.he territorial forces of to-day, and said that they well maintained the spirit of the volunteer forces who had gone to the South African War. He thought that there was no greater force working for peace in the world to-day than the British Isles, and the Navy was looked to in emergencies in both 1 war and peace. When he had been in England two and a half years ago the story of the work of the navy during the Napier earthquake met with immediate applause everywhere he told it. He mentioned that it was the finest training ground that he knew, and cited as examples of its efficiency and spirit of self-reliance the expedition of Captain Scott to the South Pole. About the Air Force he said lie knew very little, and he confessed that he was not fond of the air. After a lecture at Croydon he was taken up for a flight in the Hercules, and was thankful to get back to firm ground again. He referred to the flights that will go down as famous in history, and made special reference to Miss Jean Batten's solo trip to Australia. New Zealand coming to the fore like that in aviation showed that the country was still progressive. Tradition Maintained In responding to the toasl, Colonel Nicholls said that he was with the mounted rifles during the war. and could thus claim affinity with Boer War veterans. The toast called for no response, as the units answered for themselves, as they had done in the past. The tradition of the volunteers was being well maintained by the present-day territorials. Whatever books about the war were read, in no case were the New Zealand forces disparaged, and all credit was given to them. He maintained that in the event of another war it would be won by a combination of the units and no one in particular. He appealed for assistance in furthering the work of the territorials, as it was excellent training. Mr Dunkley, who proposed the toast of the Mayor and City Council, referred to the work being done to combat the ever-present evil of unemployment, and he considered that it was the most difficult proposition that any body could be faced with. In reply, Mr Archer said that the council could be reckoned on to do the best that was possible, not in the interests of the Labour party, but for the whole city. He regretted the necessity of parties in the municipal system, but that seemed a necessity. Dr. Telford referred briefly to the excellent work being done by the various associations connected with the main body, and hoped that they would continue in the same progressive manner. During the evening songs, humorous items, and recitations were given, and all met with continued applause. Supper was served