“PADADE! ’SHUN!”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 178, 13 July 1927, Page 4

“PADADE! ’SHUN!”

APPEAL TO EX-SERVICEMEN. TO JOIN THE B.S.A. At the ex-service meo*s reunion in Hastings last night, the chairman (Colonel Holdemess) in an address on the work of the Returned Soldiers' Association, spoke out very frankly on the subject, saying that the Returned Soldiers had not done then duty to the association. ‘ ‘ The Returned Soldiers ’ Association has done a great deal for you,'' said Colonel Holderness. “No'country has done as much for their returned 'soldiers as New Zealand and a targe amount of the benefits derived was due to the efforts of the B.S.A. it was not done by men like me, who, like many of you did not return until the close of the war. The Returned Soldiers Association existed before the men came back and the association had done great service. it is true that many cases had not been as successful as they might have been—that was no fault of the association—but that was rather caused by circumstances over which no one had control. If you won't take an interest in your own affairs and the association was formed to work for you and is prepared to go on working for you—how can you expect others to do it for you? There are 100,000 returned soldiers in New Zealand and they can get anything th,ey want, if they only ask for it pnitedly. Now what is the fact?—out of 700 members only ten men, on many occasions attended the annual meetings in Hastings. Is that backing year association up? Now we we have written'oft all arrears of subscriptions, so that those w’ho have taped in their membership, can join up again and start afresh. In addition to that, the subscription has been reduced to 5s per annum, the lowest probably in New Zealand. All we ask you to do is to join up and come to our re-unions and to our annual meetings and I am quite sure, from the way you have turned up to-night, that you will do so and elect your own president and your own committee at our annual meetings, as there is still a great many things to be done. THE CANTEEN FUND. “There are still pensions to be readjusted, and there are still men requiring assistance. There is also a lot of money belonging to us, known as th e ''canteen fund" (laqghter). and Hear, hear. It would be of no use to divide this money among the men, as it would only amount to about 30s a man, but the money is there, and it could be spent in the interests of the returned soldiers."

A Voice: Gjve it to the unemployed. Col.* Holderness: Well it might be necessary to use it for that purpose and you are the people to say how it is to be used and if you support the Returned Soldiers' Association you can say what is to be done with it. If 200 men at a meeting of any branch passed a resolution as to what was to be done their decision w’ould receive all consideration, if it was backed up by the other returned soldiers' branches, but if those in control see that attendances at meetings number fiv e here, 10 there and 20 somewhere else, how can you expect them to pay attention to their demands. The association is out tedo good work for the returned soldiers and if there are those amongst you who.do not need its help, well these men should remember their comrades who were not in such a satisfactory position. If you are fortunate enough not to require assistance tor yourselves, then remember those who do and join up. The cost is only 5s a year, so come in and do your best for yourselves and your fellow r s and if you don't, then it w’ill be your own fault if you arc neglected. (Applause).