“DIGGERS” GATHERING

Evening Star, Issue 19633, 12 August 1927, Page 5

“DIGGERS” GATHERING

SIR ANDREW RUSSELL WELCOMED WORK OF ASSOCIATIONS A large number of members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association gathered in their clubroom last night to welcome General Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., K.C.M.G., dominion president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mr A. C. Laing, president of the Dunedin Association, said that from time to lime they had welcomed distinguished visitors to their clubrooms, and ho was quite sure that Sir Andrew was as distinguished as any of them. (Applause.) The speaker referred to Sir Andrew’s interest in what he called “ the demobilised army,’ ami hoped that lie would long be spared to continue it.—(Applause.) Tire Returned Soldiers’ Associations were in need of a reawakening. New Zealand had sent more than 100,000 men overseas, and at one time they had a membership of some 40,000 or 50,000, but to-day Ibis bad dropped to something like 6,000, which ho considered was a deplorable state of affairs. _ They all hoped that the visit of Sir Andrew Russell would increase interest in the associations, and he hoped that Sir Andrew would bo able to make another another visit in the near future, and make a tour of the country associations. They extended him a very warm welcome, and expressed appreciation of the work he was doing for the returned men.—(Applause.) The mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) said that he was very pleased to welcome Sir Andrew on this first official visit to Dunedin. It was natural that there should be a reduction in membership of the associations, but be was sure that the movement was being kept alive in Otago. He considered the Returned Soldiers’ Association of very high civic value, and he knew' that this view was shared by a largo number of civic workers.—(Applause.) On behalf of the South African Veterans’ Association, Colonel O’Neill welcomed Sir Andrew'. He assured the association that they need not have any misgivings about the falling off in membership. His own association had passed through the same state of affairs, and now a. renewed interest was being taken in it— (applause)— and be was sure that it would be the same with their association. —(Applause.) _ Sir Andrew' Russell was received with loud applause, and said that, at some future, time he hoped’ to revisit Dunedin. and travel round some of the country branches, in the hope of promoting the interest and good fellowship of the soldiers. They need not worry about the falling off in membership, as there wore still plenty of the old stalwarts who wore carrying out tho work. The speaker realised that the returned men were taking a- stronger interest in the affairs of the associations, and ho looked forward with confidence to their greater stability. He. thought that on the whole they'had done fairly well in their relations with the Government,, and the more important problems had been solved. Certain aspects of what might bo termed the wreckage of war were referred to, and this was a question which would have to be gone into sooner or later. They had an excellent secretary in Mr Harrison, and they also had a very fine headquarters staff. (Applause.) Speaking of tho canteen fund, of which board he was tho chairman, Sir Andrew said that the soldiers w'ere particularly concerned because it was through their own efforts that it had been built. (Laughter.) The board bad thought that the sum of about 21s per bead would not be wortli while distributing, so they had kept the money, and it had increased from £120,000 to £IBO,OOO. It would have been foolish to distribute the canteen funds while the war relief funds were still available, and they had decided to keep tho canteen funds for the future wants of the soldiers. Some of the money had been given to the Trentbam scholarship, which was devoted to the children of fallen soldiers. This would cease, however, as the children grew up. The board had also given money to the unemployment funds, and it was hoped in this way that the associations would bo able to deal with any immediate cases of distress. Hie Farmers’ Union has wished ,to have preference for returned soldiers jabolishod in connection with land transactions. He thought that the time had arrived when now proposals should not be initiated in the interests of the soldiers, and it had been decided that the Minister should be asked to maintain only 7 the existing terms of preference. The sneaker made several suggestions that might help to increase tho future activities of the club. lie hoped that every soldier who heard subversive sentiments would conic forward and say that they did not represent, tho true feelings of the people of New Zealand. "When good troops met an obstacle they closed; had troops spread out over the countryside. In the face of difficulties let them close their ranks and bo a credit to their leaders in the time of trial.. The main thing was that every soldier .should be able to say T . when the battle was over, that he had done his share. (Applause.)

Sere*™ 1 musical items were "Ivon during the evening, and later supper was served.