THE OLD PIONEERS

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 23, 27 July 1920, Page 4

THE OLD PIONEERS

KEEP THEIR SPIRIT ALIVE

SIR WILLIAM BIEDWOOD TO THE

EARLY SETTLERS.

Sir William Bird wood was the guest of honour at a representative gathering of the Early Settlers' Association in Dustin's Hall, Ctiha-etreefc, last evening. Among those present were Sir Robert Stout, Mr. Justice Chapman, General Sir Edward Clia.ytor, and Mr. 3. P. Luke, M.F., the Mayor of Wellington. In a few well-chosen words Mr.' v O. E.. Jenkinson. president of the association, xvelcomed General Bird-wood, whose name he said, wais a household word in New Zealand, and who was regarded by ail loyal New Zealanders as one of the men. in whom they had the faith of victory through the darkest hours. General Bird wood, who was greeted with warm applause, expreesed the pleasure of soldiers of the preeent in ■meeting the soldiers of the past, and recalled the memory of the veterans he had seen of the Empire's wars at Chelsea Hospital. One of the reasons why we had won the war was the- traditions built up by ths soldiers of earlier wars and reincarnated in the regiments that had fought through the four years of the late ordeal. The gathering before him was representative "of the great, pioneers who had come to build up the new lands here and in Australia aa the very best of the British race, the most-enterpris-ing who had come out because they found the Old Country too small, to strike out a new . world. When one travelled through New Zealand one realised what freat hearts the old pioneers must havead to go so bravely through, the almost incredible hardships. He hoped that the pioneers would see that the dauntless sjpirit of adventure were kept alive in their sous and grandsons. One of the most remarkable, qualities of the New Zealand and Australian soldier was his. initiative and individuality, added to native spirit of the race, the courage, the determination, the loyalty to one another, characteristic of the British. This was, no- doubt, the .legacy of the ancestral spirit of the pioneers. (Applause.) _Sir William then referred to the spirit of the men in the war, how they had gone through all that war meant, with the^ feeling that their cause was juet and their Jives would not be given in vain. He spoke of tragic scenes among th? poor dispossessed people 'of Northern France during the German occupation, and the providence that spared England such miseries; of the hospitality people in England were so proud to show to the mep. from tho distant parts of the Empire, who, he was glad to say, had not abused It. They had behaved like gentlemen throughout. The victory was proof that the people of the British racewere, still producing the same men and women as 500 years- ago. He hoped thu old pioneers wo.uld do everything to foster and maintain the traditions of the early history of New, Zealand. He suggested they m^ht write down their remembrances for generations to- come. vand that the children in the schools might learn about, the way their ancestors lived in the early days and be proud of their traditions. (Applause.) There was no set programme for the rest of the evening, which was spent in the sociable, kindly, informal manner of the early settleri. The distinguished guest made himself quite at home in the spirit which endeared him to the "digger," and the occasion passed very pleasantly with music and conversation.