REUNION HELD

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23360, 20 June 1941, Page 4

REUNION HELD

ASHBURTON RETURNED SOLDIERS The first reunion of the Ashburton Returned Soldiers’ Association held last evening under the plan decided on at the annual meeting to make the-func-tion an annual one was an outstanding success. Mote than 180 members were present, as well as a large number of visitors. The programme opened with the toast of "The King," followed by •Absent Comrades," during which "Requiem" was sung by Mr 1. Street. The Ashburton Silver Band contributed selections of popular martial and patriotic tunes. Mr W. Q, Welsh presided. "The 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force and Defence Forces" was proposed by Mr D.. W. RuSsell (president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association), who, referred to the increased respect which the deeds of the overseas forces had added to the name of Anzac in the world. "The Returned Soldiers’ Association, he said, "Is determined to see that every man will, do his duty, conscientious oh* jector or not, We are going to see that conscientious and other objectors are not going to stand behind the sacrifices of the forces and do nothing.” A soldier of the New Zealand forces, returned from Egypt, Mr -J. N. S, Heron, replied, saying that the feats accomplished by the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force were in no wise less - than -those of their fathers, and they, would come through the struggle upholding the best traditions of- the Anzacs and the Contain E, A. Cockroft (Area Com* manner of the Home Guard) replied for the Defence Forces* ■ He said ■ that though there was a lack of materials and weapons In - New Zealand,* which he bope«T w.ould soon be overcome, the fighting men were second, to none. mpbiing. the toast of the "Navy. Army, Air Jorce, Merchant Service and Ntirses." Mr A, A, McDonald the work of the Navy during this war, and emphasised how-much' New Zealanders owecHoit. "With the.help of the Army, Air Force, Merchant Marine, and'the gallant work of the nurses, the war will be brought to a successful conclusion," lie'saio. Mr A, T, Saunders (Royal -Navy); Staff Sergeant-Major A. L. . Emerson (Army), Mr, A, C. Wilson, (R.N.Z.A.F), and Captain E. Erwin (Merchant Ser. vice) responded. 1 1 Other toasts honoured- were:—"The i New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association,” Mr J. H. Grigg—Mr E. P, Willcox; “Local Bodies,” Mr J. David-son—-the Mayor of Ashburton (Dr. J Connor) and chairman of the County Council (Mr S. P. Taylor); “Visitors," Mr O, Welsh; “Performers," Mr H. Page; "The Press," Mr E. J. Daniel. Items were given by Messrs A. H, Todd. J, H. Browne, J. D. Baxter, A, C. Wilson, I, Street, B. Williams, C., Hopwood. G, Lowry, L. Young and; M. Beasley.