"DIGGERS" MEET

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 140, 15 June 1928, Page 14

"DIGGERS" MEET

SUCCESSFUL SMOKE CONCERT Delegates to the annual meeting of the Dominion Council of the Now Zealand Beturnjpd Soldiers' Association were ■ entertained by tho Wellington ■R.S.A. at ■a' smoke concert last 'evening. Colonel G. T. Hall presided, and ; amongst those present were Sir Andrew Kusseil, Major-General E. Young, tho ■Minister of Education (Hon. E. A. Wright), the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), and Sir John Luke, M.P. Several apologies were received, including one from the Prime Minister (Eight Hon. J. G. Coates). As a mark of respect to the memory of departed comrades, tho gathering stood in silence while the "Eequiom" was sung and'the "Last Post" and the ".Eeveille" were sounded.: In proposing the toast of ','Parliamont," Mr. W..'Perry said that. the New Zealand U.S.A. had no party politics, though some years ago a. desperato attempt wais made to introduce, party ' polities into the organisation. "I am bound to say of the Government of to-day that most of the things tho. E.S.A. has sought have been granted —(hear, hear, and applause)—and our thanks are due to Parliament and the Government, which has been in existenco since the war for the legislation in favour of tho B.S.A.N In conclusion, Mr. Perry referred to the setting-up of the War Pensions Appeal Board, and said that the E.S.A. owed Parliament and the Government its sincere thanks. Eeplying to the toast, the Minister said that he, was very glad to hear from Mr. Perry that Parliamentarians wore such fine fellows. "We are so unaccustomed to these kind words that, it is indeed refreshing to come to a smoke concert and hear that Parliamentarians, after all, are not such a bad lot. (Laughter.) . . . Mr. Perry has said a good word for us, and I hope that in the near future he will be elevated to tho Legislative Council. (Laughter.) The Minister referred to tho difficulties experienced by returned soldiers at tho end of the war and expressed tho opinion that the Government had done everything possible to meet their wishes. He concluded with the hope that the E.S.A. would prosper in its good work. Sir John Luke said that ever since ho had been in Parliament there had been a very sincere desire on the part of that body to do its best towards the returned men. Ho thought that tho gathering would agree with him that the conditions for returned men were as good in New Zealand as anywhere else. Voices:. "Better." Sir John added that Parliament was actuate!! by a desire toseo that everything possible was done for the welfare of tho returned soldiers and their dependants. A reference to tho flourishing state of the E.S.A. movement, in New Zealand was made by Sir Andrew Eussell, in replying to the toast of the "Headquarters, N.Z.E.S.A."* There had been an increase in' membership, ho said, and keen interest had been taken in the reunions. It was apparent that tho N.Z.K.S.A. had turned the corner and was growing stronger each year. The toast of the "City of Welling, ton and Adjacent Boroughs" was proposed by Mr. B. Egloy, and responded to by the Mayor who dealt with tho city's transport problems and the rapid building rato which had disproved the suggestion that Wellington was going back. Other toasts honoured wore "War Pensions and Internal Affairs," "Kindred Associations," and "The Army and Navy." A programme of vocal items enlivened tho proceedings.