WHO WILL HELP?

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1912, Page 2

WHO WILL HELP?

A NIGHT FOR THE PIONEERS. SYMPATHISERS WANTED. A song for them, a cheer for them, kind words for them, a merry time for them — brave men and women of the old days. Who will help, who will not help, to make a memory of 23rd September, Town Hall, stay with surviving pioneerß till all days on this earth are one day to them ? Each one of this generation has a debt to pay to toilers in a past too little known. The veterans have not pressed for recognition ; they have not complained that in the rush of this day, of which they .bore the antecedent burden, their services are forgotteni It has simply happened that admirers of the battlers of old have noticed that these worthy ones have been overlooked by the main army of modern hustlers, who have inherited a comparatively comfortable field for their bustle. This they accept as a matter of course, as they accept the Bun, the daffodils, and the song of the thrush. - The indifference to the valour of the city's early builders his pained the promoters of the Early Settlers' Association, which now asks the citizens to make fair amends. Pioneers are to be invited to the Town Hall on the night of Dominion Day, and efforts are being made to please them thoroughly. Admission to the public will b© free, by ticket, • but, of course, it is not intended to regale the principal guests with words alohe. It is estimated that £70 or £80 will be required to make the night even modestly worthy of the assembly, and collectors are out, hopeful, as they always are, in Wellington. ' Programme t It is proposed to have sotig and speech (not 'too long), refreshment's and conversation. Among those who will be invited to speak on suitable topics will be the Governor, the Prime Minister, the Mayor, and others prominent in public life. The desire is to get an orator or two who will be able to vividly recall the days that have gone— to carry th 6 hearers through the decades, back to the struggles here among the wopded hills^ A narrative of life, colour movement is needed to make the comfortable people of to-day revere thode who toiled to assufe prosperity for the city and district. The organising committee wishes to take all possible precautions against overlooking any old settlers who should have places of honour at the assembly. -If this reunion is the success that is anticipated, the Hon. J. E. Jenkin&on says, that the assiciation will thus be encouraged to do more for the gladdening of tlie veterans. He speaks of a picnic for Anniversary Day, 22nd January, a merry outing for old and yonng. Bub first comes the rally at the Town Hall, and the need of that money to meet the charges of a respectable demonstration.