RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3004, 15 February 1917, Page 9

RETURNED SOLDIERS

QUESTION OF RECEPTIONS

AND THE SOLDIERS' CLUB A deputation consisting of Messrs. A. S. hiss, 0. R. Smith, and H. Vos, representing tho Wellington Returned Soldiers' Olub, waited 1 on the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) yesterday morning to discuss matters iu connection with tho club. Mr. A. S. Biss said that the committee was concerned about how it was to extend tho privileges of tihe club to' roturned men immediately oa their arrival in Wellington. Hitherto it bad been tho custom for tho men, when thoy arrived in batches, to bo received by the Mayor, and the manner in which. His Worship had attended the trains and steamers had been very much appreciated. Their exporionco was, however, that the men who nrrived here and had no friends or relatives did not hear of the existence of tho club !is early as was desired, and they wished to deviso means of rectifying -that. He suggested that on the men arriving in batches they should he taken in motor-cars (which the club would provide) to the club, and there he by the Mayor on behalf of the citizens. If that could not be arranged, they would ask the Mayor to inform the men. of the existence of the club, and that its hospitality; was _ extendedl to them. Tho committee's idea was that the men should be provided with a meal. That would involve some expense, which. tJiey were prepared to meet, and a committee of ladies would attend to. the catering and attendance. Otaer members of tb.c deputation supported' Mr. Biss. In reply, Mr. Luke said that no one appreciated the work of tho Returned Soldiers' Club better than ho tiid. From its inception lie had taken a considerable interest in it, and he thought it was his. duty as Mayor of the city to be identified with it. The difficulty in 'Wellington was that the vessels bringing returned: ■ soldiers berthed at different places, but wherever it was he had felt it his duty to be present when a boat or train with returned soldiers arrived, and he would continue to do so. Recently the men had been Toturning in such small lots that the ordinary functions at the Town Hall had to bo dispensed with, and meeting tho men on trains and boast ho had found that they did not desire formal receptions. They wero more desirous of getting into touch with their relatives and friends, ' and going to their homes as soon as possible. Hβ had always mado it clear to the men that the Returned Soldiers' Club was avaialhlo to them during/their stay in Wellington. There was, too, a, difficulty iu ascertaining the exact timo of tho arrival of the boats. Over and over again he-had had to engage taxis to take tho place of private cars whose owners could not wait on, and in such cases some of tho taxiomiers hadmadb no charge at all. If the men wero taken to, the club he would bo quito prepared to address them.there. Tho best thing for tho committee to do was: to ask tho Government to instruct tho officer in charge on the train or boat" to notify iiho men that tho club was : available to them on their arrival in Wellington and during their stay hore. Another cause of delay at times was' the paying off of the men on their arrival. Ho had urged on Sir James Allen that a room might he provided where tho mon andl their friends might wait whilst these final payments were being made, but so far the suggestion had 1 not been acted upon. Mr. Biss said the committee would consider the matter very carefully, having in view the Mayor's suggestions. "One of the Crown." writes: —"Regarding tho suggestion of tho Returned Soldiers' Club executive to the Mayor about receptions to returned soldiers, it was not mentioned that when the soldiers returned in largo numbers and were met at tho Town Hall thousands of the public wero present, and scenes of enthusiasm wero common. If that wero to happen again, I am sure such • Scenes would he repeated, and in such cases the Returned Soldiers' Club would be altogether inadequate to accommodate all wtib- would like to attend, "sis one who lias attended several of such functions, I wouldl like to say that the Mayor has never failed to mention the existence of tho Returned Soldiers' Olub. To me the reception of returned soldiers in the club would not savour of a civic welcome."