ANZAC REUNION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22375, 12 April 1938, Page 11

ANZAC REUNION

RETURNED SOLDDSRS* ASSOCIATION APPEAL TO TAKE INTEREST IN DEFENCE An appeal to returned susdtets to help the Government with the detente [ policy It had enunciated was made by Mr D. W. Russell in proposing the toast, "Local Bodies," at the annual Anzac reunion of the Christehurch Returned Soldiers' Association last evening. "You may not agree with the policy. but give 'it some support," he said. "The wor,ld is in a state of chaos, and the fate of Australia, New Zealand. and the Empire may be decided m the Paciflc." If an extension of the policy of defence was thought necessary, he urged the members to educate the public to it. Mr Russell said that the local bodies round Christchnrch. and particularly the City Council, had always been willing to help the associatiori. The Mayors, especially Messrs H. Holland, D. G. Sullivan. J. m ~K. Archer, and J. W. Beanland. had taken much interest in the organisation. "Men that serve on local bodies render service to New Zealand and they receive no emolument,** he said. He urged the members, as men who ha* served their country, to stand for »*> liament and local bodies. The Mayor (Mr Beanland), m reply. said that local bodies and the City Council had always tried to help returned men as much as possible.' Mr Holland said that the returned men looked younger and happierthat night than when he had said «opdbye to them at the barracks. He had addressed many audiences, but aan never seen such a fine body of men as those present at the function.. Mr Holland also said that he had never heard a returned soldier boast of his courage or heroism at the war. A sum of £59,780 had been paid out of the Patriotic Fund up to the end ox January, and the members of the fund had honestly tried to do their best to all concerned. Work •( Asaadatiea Proposing the toast. The Chris** church Returned Soldiers* Association. Mr H. L. Babington, of the Ctostchurch Commercial Travellers* and-' Warehousemen's Association, .said the* the Returned Soldiers* Association was formed during the war years to toner the interests of returned meo vJ™ l **Js had carried out its work welL ~ sometimes wonder if the man in. the street and the ordinary members raw appreciate the work done by the «g----cers of the association,'' he said. "*Jg " association' is very closely connected, with yours in that it works in the interests of blind soldiers, and' aiaa because some members of your tion are members of my organisation. The toast, "Australian ContofenV. was proposed by the vim |rtisMint (Mr A.E. Haynes). who .»•**,,» 22 nearly 24 years since the New Zealand troops first made contact with IJP Australians. Since then they bad been associated many times, and New Zealand soldiers looked on the AnstrsiMsflas as brothers. They bad looked forwntd, to the time when they could renew their friendship under more ujugeuial conditions. „ . . _"' ■._ "I think that the 1400-letacned'fig-diers who will go to Aintayaa wg» comprise the greatest goodwill mission that has ever left the shores ef'Kjw Zealand,*' said Mr J. S, Cbiraiolm,'replying to the toast Mr R. Grant abja responded. -_ ' Other toasts The KUUV proposed by the president: "AIM* Comrades,- the president; 3«f*--branches and Visitors,- Mr W£f£ Darby; and "Branch and Visitors." •;* Items were given by MesnTX West, Neill Down, J. Uwsdiart W. Bell, L. Cummins, D. McGflL m Toomey, and by the Returned SoJdterr AssocAtion orchestra, under Mr- Eft . Glaysher. The .accompanists were Messrs H. E. Hoyle and G.C Busses!