RETURNED SOLDIERS PROJECT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 12

RETURNED SOLDIERS PROJECT

Coming Visit To Sydney PLEA FOR THOSE WHO FIND FINANCE A BAR Dominion Special Service. Hastings, Alarch 22. “I think some public effort should ln» made to include a number of less fortunate returned soldiers in the contingent that is going to Sydney for the ses(luieentenary celebrations next month, said AH'. 11. Al. Thompson, Pakowhai, to

"The Dominion” ,to-day. Mr. Thompson, who is himself a Main Body man. is unable because of bis occupation to make the trip, but he is anxious to make a donation toward any fund that may be raised with the above object in. view.

Air. Thompson said there were in New Zealand to-day probably thousands of returned men who, through no fault of their own, Lad not done particularly well since their return to civil life. The majority of these men, as every returned man knew, had been excellent soldiers, and their service at the front had been magnificent. , Edr these men the cost of the Sydney trip—at least £5O when outfit and clothes were included —was simply out of the question, "1 think some effort should be made to include a number of these men in New Zealand’s representation at Sydney,” Air. Thompson repeated. At least four nurses who had seen active service should lie included as well, he added. He believed that those returned men who could afford it would be more limn willing to assist their less fortunate comrades, with whom they shared the hardships and dangers of the trenches. He understood that there was still accommodation in the second ship, so there would be no difficulty in that direction.

"If any'fund were raised to send some of these men,” Air. Thompson concluded, "their selection eould safely be left in life hands of’the various returned soldiers’ associations.”