RUNANGA R.S.A.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1936, Page 12

RUNANGA R.S.A.

ANNUAL RE-UNION. Mr G. English presided at the annual re-union of the Runanga branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association held last evening. There was an attendance of about sixty members, and visitors from the Greymouth branch.

The following toasts wore honoured: “The King." “Absent Comrades,’’ proposed by Archdeacon Jermyn. Ihe Archdeacon apologised for the absence of Messrs A. H. McKane, M • Meldrum, and F. Wylde. He was pleased the toast was not “Fallen Comrades," for he felt that those who had met, their death in the War were with us, in spirit, if not in person. Mr G. Kerr sounded “The Last Post." “The N.Z. Returned Soldiers’ Association," proposed by Mr G. English. He pleaded with all retained soldiers to join the Association. It may, not be of benefit to them individually, but with a strong organisation a great deal could be done for necessitous cases. He cited ihe ease of “burnt out. men.” many oi whom were in need of help. Saciifices were made by the men at the wai cheerfnllv, and to-day if the men could show again some of that sacrifice they would.build up an organisation of comradeship of which they would be proud. Such gatherings as these were valuable in bringing the men together, but they should go further and work to make the Association a power in New Zealand. Archdeacon Jermyn. responding. ■ aid that he regretted that Messrs McKane and Meldrum were not present as they would be more competent to respond. He was sure the Grevmouth branch would always cooperate with the Runanga branch in furthering the interests of returned men. The R.S.A. as far as possible, assisted Imperial men, but its' P°" el ® were limited. He regretted tha tl e representative who had been sent kS” Zealand had ""V' o ™ gl ,™' r'a 'Sw'zealand' ’ He S’jnpX S should not let the nvitter lie but should organise t oo m plalut 9 enUetled. He I nought It was a scandal Ihe »« imnorial men had been tiejted. regretted that there were not.mor of' the branches represented, but.he hoped to have a large contingent when Z Bishop of Nelson gave an address in Runanga on Anzac t. ••The Sub Branches Jhe R>.a. nroiiosed by Mr A. 0. Warwick, and O’LoXnn "nd Ward s?^ j -o : a A^ s s a r?x d the musical talent of the evening was second to none in New Zealand his requests for artists to ie am items he had not met with a ‘ ’ He specially thanked Messrs J. Duff, and J Paterson who came from mouth, also Mr D. Kendrick and Mi j. Sheard for their assistance at a branch functions rturing . ’ v e “The Press” was proposed by Mi Baxendale. “The Ladies” was proposed by Mr J. Smith. , 1 During the evening, items weie ten dered by Messrs T. Halliday, J. Dun . n Boote G. Kerr, A. Airns, J. Brown, Messrs G. Kerr and W. Bell H Stagg. Mr J. Paterson and Mi D. Kendrick were the accompanists.