WAR COMRADESHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 12

WAR COMRADESHIP

VALUE OF SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATIONS

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S APPRECIATION

AN IMPEEIAL ASSET.

The annual smoke concert of the South African Veterans' Association was held last night in the Beturned Soldiers' Association's rooms, Mr. L. de Launay (president) in the chair. There were also present, in positions of honour, His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral (Sir Charles Fergusaon), and amongst others Coloned J. G. Hughes, C.M.G., D.5.0., Colonel T. Hall, president of the Keturned Soldiers' Association, Major J. Watson, secretary "of the E.S.A., Mr. G. C. Pache, of the Pensions Department, Mr. U. Tingey, president of the Maori War Veterans' Association and delegates of the various branches of the associatipn, representatives of the Imperial Forces, the Eev. D. Dutton (Dunedin), and the Eev. Canon Compton (Brooklyn). A number *of apologies, including the Prime Minister and members of the House of Eepresentatives, were received.

A solemn moment of observance of respect to comrades laid low, both in the Great War and in South Africa, followed the Singing of the National Anthem.

The toast of "The Dominion Patron" (His Excellency) was proposed by the Dominion President (Captain J. J. Clark), who said that His Excellency liked coming amongst active service men, and he had seen a great deal of active service in the northern part of Africa, so was one of the great company who had fought there.

His Excellency, in reply, recalled the pleasant recollections of the meeting last year. It was true that he delighted in meeting men and old comrades. It was extraordinary that they should meet in such large numbers a quarter of a century after the event, an exposition of the vitality and esprit de corps of the old South African contingents. He was certain that membership would continue to increase, because as the years grew, old associations became stronger. It was only natural that if associations of the last war kept their touch they would gain in membership year by year. It was wonderful to see how well they had worn.

They should take pride in the fact that they were soldiers of the Queen, an honourable distinction which >jjo other society could boast. »' He understood they had affiliated with the E.S.A. He was absolutely convinced that that was a right step to take. (Applause.) Union was power. THE GREAT COMRADESHIP.

"After all, we are the same blood, you and I," he said. "We have all served in the rough school of war, and have the same aims and aspirations, and while we all like to keep individuality, we should keep together as do regiments or companies do. What is the real advantage of these associations? There are two main things we stand for, mutual benefit, including the good each can be to comrades unable to attend these gatherings, and the sympathy and help we can give apart from material help. We can co-operate in asking advantages which, I am certain the Government will give if we give them good reasons, but which we will never get unless we back each other up. It is true that Now Zealand is ahead of every other country in this respect, but Ministers and others are guardians of the public purse. Unless we, bound together as an association, can put the case properly, we will' never get it. The Prime Minister is a soldier, the Pensions Board is sympathetic, and if we combine to put our case, we have every chance of getting it. We have learnt our lessons in a hard school, and it should have taught us common sense. It is an advantage to any community in the world to have such "men banded together, because if ever the opportunity arises, such men, who have served and seen, can advise the younger hotheads, and exercise a full influence on public opinion. We have learnt what loyalty means, and we have learnt to put aside the things that do not matter. We stick to our posts, and stick to the interests of our Empire and of our King. (Applause.) No part of the Empire has a more generally recognised understanding for loyalty than New Zealand. Never was there a time more needing loyalty. We hear things that strike us as not entirely loyal. It is. encouraging to see that New Zealand will be represented at the Dominions Conference by a man who was a soldier before he was a Prime Minister. There is no more exclusive brand of loyalty than that of New Zealand, and that is going to be of immense value to that conference."

Care and thought for comrades, and the preservation of loyalty would keep the newly affiliated associations in close communion for the good of the community. He honoured the possession of their badge above most things.

The following toast list was duly hon-oured:—-"Absent Comrades," president (Mr. L. So Launey); "Parliament of New Zealand," Colonol Fraser—Mr. G. 0. 3?ache; "Kindred Associations," Private Dutton—Colonel Hall and Mr. Tingey, "Visiting Delegates," tho Ktv. Canon Compton.