CLOSE UP THE RANKS

Evening Star, Issue 19583, 15 June 1927, Page 6

CLOSE UP THE RANKS

THE SOLDIER’S SIMILE HOW TO MEET NATIONAL TROUBLE [Pee Untied Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 15. Speaking at the Returned Soldiers’ Association Conference social last evening, the Minister of Defence said that if the people of New Zealand would only face their present troubles with the same courage as the men of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force faced theirs in the war, there need be no concern for the future. The Minister said the department was still taking a lively interest in returned soldiers, and any request from them would have Cabinet’s sympathetic consideration. General Sir Andrew Russell referred to the reviving interest in the R.S.A. He thought that live years hence they would reach tho peak of applications for war' pensions, for, as the men grew older, their war disabilities would tell more upon them. When tho troops were in danger, they closed up and faced the difficulties, and if the country was now facing difficulties tho people should stick together and they would pull through. All knew that the Prime Minister had carried his pack in the front lino, but he now had a heavier one to carry. They should trust their leaders and close up the ranks, think less about themselves, and think more about their women and children.