LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 August 1930, Page 9

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

SQUADRON .SOCIAL. INTERESTING EARNING. There was a very good attendance o-f Legionaries from Gnawe lilt bam and \Yave,rley. Troops at- the annual smoko: held in tire Scouts’ Ha-11, Hawera, last night. Lieutenant Cawsey presiding in the unavoidable absence of Captain Viekridige, O.C. the squadron. A long toast list was honoured, and altogether a jolly evening spent by all. The 1-oyai toast having 'been duly honoured, ‘The Legion’’, was proposed in happy terms- by the chairman. He said Hint all should be proud to belong to the Legion, and he referred to the fact that, out of 1900 who belonged to; it in 1914. nine hundred fell in the war. He stressed the need for fostering the spirit of loyalty and patriotism in the Legion, and leren-ed to the satisfactory growth- of the Olmwe Troop in this district. He reminded his hearers that though the- aims of the ■ Legion were more or less military, they were all volunteers and were* he knew, ready when called upon to do their 'bit for the Empire. He referred eulegistically to the value of such lectures as Sergeant Findlater had delivered hr the troop on the subject of the Monroe- Doctrine, and l said he had 'learnt much about the subject from liis remarks,’realising now that their motto. “Be Prepared,'’ was, quite fitting and appropriate to the Legion. Sergeant Neilsen (AYaverley) said he believed that, while membership, of the Legion presupposed loyalty, it was good to stress at the present time the idea of social fellowship which went with ch© centra,deship of the Legion. Members got together and “swapped experiences”, and, therefore, they shoiulld!jtiresjs the socia'i aspect of the Legion, j 1 Sergeant Findlater gave the toast of “The Territorial Forces,” paying first I a tribute to the great help given by officers of tire force to the Legion. The territorial force, was, in his opinion, vital to the country and people generally did not- realise what its abolition, neant to the Dominion. He recalled its institution as the outcome of the visit of Lord _ Kitchener and his recoinneivadtions. It had proved itself a on all but very efficient force that did , - emarkably well in the Great AYar, and! he was glad to realise that recent events had proved that the same spirit animated til© young men of the present day.

In the Legion there was -stJili a love for the army and the- members were proud to he associated with tile territorial force and regretted very much the possibility of its abolition, Which would be a serious menace to all. AVkiatever happened, he hoped that the staff would be. retained so that-, in case cf need, they might be available to resuscitate tire forces, for it was realised that the peace of the world depended on the supremacy of the British Empire. He had therefore, the geratest pleasure in doing honour to- the territorial force, and in expressing appreciation, of the men of’ that great body and of their value to the Dominion. Lieutenant Stevens happily responded, bearing witness to the interest taken by- the sergeant-major of the regular staff in the territorials and the many friendships they had formed with men of the latter force. The health of the winners of the ATckridge Cup was enthusiastically honoured, the chairman making the presentation to Lieutenant Tennent and congratulating the AYaverley team on its really wonderful performance. Other toasts lion-oiu’ed were: “Absent- Comrades” (Lieut. Darling) with members standing in silence for one minute; “New Members” (Trooper Shaw—Comrade A r . Powell) ; “The British Rugby Team” (Mr Page—Mr Neilson); “Entertainers and A’lsitors.’ii “The Press,” “The Chairman.”

A programme of musical and elocutionary numbers was given by Messrs H. C. A. Fox, A. E. Morris, IT. Briggs, E. C. Piper (songs), AV. AA r . Thomas, J. Ross, Mather (recitations), S. Anderson and A. Spragg (duets with guitar accompaniment). Mr Barleyman, jnr., played the piano accompaniments. After a light supper, the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” concluded! -a very pleasant evening.