A CONVERSAZIONE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21376, 19 January 1935, Page 7

A CONVERSAZIONE

SIR ALEXANDER GODLEY HONOURED RETURNED SOLDIERS' WELCOME A conversazione in honour of General Sir Alexander Godley and Lady Godley was held last night in the Jellicoe Hall by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association. There was an attendance of nearly 200. After the formal speeches of welcome and his reply, Sir Alexander Godley moved round the hall, renewing acquaintances and meeting men who had served during the Great War. Welcoming Sir Alexander and Lady Godley, the president of the association, the Rev. F. T. Read, said the last year had been rich in the number of visits from distinguished men attached to the British Empire Service League (of which Sir Alexander is a prominent member). He said he felt that the true philosophy of life lay in knowing what to remember and what to forget. There were many things about the war people wished to forget, but there were some that should be cherished. Particularly was the fine spirit of comradeship that was shown in the war to be cherished. And it was a matter of rejoicing that that spirit had been fostered not only in the Christchurch Association, but all through New Zealand. Welcome in Same Spirit "In that spirit we want to welcome Sir Alexander Godley," continued Mr Read, "and I am going to put this motion: 'That this meeting extends a very hearty welcome to Sir Alexander and Lady Godley, trusting that they will make their visit to Christchurch a very pleasant one, and will carry away pleasant memories of their stay.' " The motion was seconded by Mr T. L. Drummond, who expressed the pleasure it gave him to support the resolution. Ha said he thought Mr React had taken the right line when he spoke of the spirit of comradeship. He had noticed that one was being continually told of that spirit, which was noticeable in the activities of Ihe association. That spirit, as Sir Alexander Godley could probably tell, was common right through the Empire. The motion was carried by acclamation. Sir Alexander Godley, in reply, said It was a pleasure to himself and Lady Godley to be present He was very glad 1o meet again his old comrades of .'lie New Zealand Expeditionary K'UC', and iheir wives. It was a very delightful way of welcoming Lady Godley and himself. Work of the League Mr Read had spoken of the British Empire .Service League, and he thought it would be interesting if lie wore to s.iy something of its work, b<_i.au:;e its aims were not generally i.i'uv.ii. It was particularly appropriate, lie thought, as the present function was. being held in the Jellicoe Hall, !o monfion that Earl Jellicoe was now president of the league. Tin.- league had been .started by Earl llaig, said Sir Alexander Godley, to co-ordinate former servicemen's associations through the Empire. Earl llaig, had been greatly helped in this by a New Zealandcr, Captain Donaid Simpson. Conferences were held biennially throughout the Empire. The great merit of the league was that it would not acknowledge more than one organisation representing returned soldiers in a country. That had' resulted in close co-ordination and harmony. Sir Alexander Godley then reviewed Ihe work of the league at its recent conference in Melbourne, and spoke of .■■■'• vera 1 of its prominent delegates. "Your president has spoken of com-rade.-hip," he went on. "There is something in soldiering together which makes a bond among men—and one which does not occur in any other sphere. It docs make for a wonderful spirit of comradeship in the end. "There is no doubt that the Returned Soldiers' Associations arc more flourishing and more a force for good now than they were immediately after the war. In England, Australia, and New Zealand, the associations are growing, and there is no doubt that as the years go on the spirt of comradeship becomes greater and greater." Messages of Goodwill Sir Alexander Godley then spoke of the relations between New Zealanders and Australians during the war, and said he had been given numerous messages of goodwill while he was in Australia for delivery in New Zealand. It was wonderful to think what the Anzae spirit had done for the two countries. Sir Alexander Godley answered a rv.imbrr of enquiries about officers who had been known to New Zealand soldiers, and later chatted with some of those present. The Returned Soldiers' Association orchestra, under Mr H. G. Glayshcr, and Messrs D. McKivctt and R. Malcolm gave items.