FRONTIERSMEN MEET

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 232, 27 June 1932, Page 10

FRONTIERSMEN MEET

Annual Conference Held DOMINION’S DEFENCE “Second Line on Land” “I think we can claim to be New Zealand’s second line of defence as far as land forces are concerned,” said Colonel C. N. Vickridge, Commandant for New Zealand of the Legion of Frontiersmen, at the annual conference of delegates from the squadrons in the Dominion at the local squadron’s clubrooms in Victoria Street on Saturday. An official welcome was extended to the delegates by the deputy mayor, Councillor W. H. Bennett. “No fewer than 100 new members were admitted by New Zealand headquarters during the year,” said Colonel C. N. Vickridge, “and I must congratulate squadrons on the very excellent material offering.” “To Fulfil Founder’s Aims.” The annual conference, he said, was a time for stocktaking in more ways than one. It was not merely a time for counting up membership and discussing remits, valuable as they were. The conference also offered an opportunity for all of them to ask whether they were doing all that could be done toward a more perfect fulfilment of the aims and objects which the founder had in mind when the organisation was established. In times like the present they must “stand by” ready to assist. The relationship between New Zealand and London had continued amicably during the year.- The Legion in England was flourishing, ther„ how being 1000 financial members. There had been two outstanding features of the year’s work in New Zealand, the publishing of the handbook and the call to the assistance of the authorities. “The Legion’s answer to the call for assistance of the State requires no comment from me, excepting I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all members for the loyal response,” said Colonel Vickridge. In March, Colonel Vickridge said, he had visited Government House and discussed the Legion with his Excellency the Governor-General, who was taking a personal interest in it- The formation of-a unit in the south-whs discussed,' and he hoped before long they would have the Legion well established there. New Commissioner. “After twenty years’ loyal service to the Legion in New Zealand it is with regret that I have to advise you that Captain D’Esterre has asked me to accept his resignation from the (position of commissioner, and has asked me to nominate Colonel Weston in his place,” the commandant continued. "The work of Captain D’Esterre will live long after him as one of the founders of the Legion in New Zealand, and for the great service he.has rendered since. I am sure you will agree with me that his nomination of Colonel Weston to take his place is a fitting tribute to our late commandant.”

The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. About 100 attended the luncheon given by the Legion at Barrett’s Hotel on Saturday, among those present being the Right Hon. J. G. Coates.