SHANNON RETURNED SOLDIERS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 10 June 1932, Page 7

SHANNON RETURNED SOLDIERS

SOCIAL EVENING.

Om Wednesday evening a social was held in the Parish Hall by members of the Shannon branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. There were oyer thirty returned men present, including representatives from Levin, Moutoa and Makerua, amongst others Mr G. I)'. Hamiltom, president of the Levin Returned Soldiers’ Association; Mr W. N. Brown, representing the South African War veterans, and His Worship the Mayor (Mr E. Butt). Mr C. M. Cronquest, president of the Shannon branch, presided. A very jolly time was spent with song and music, the singing of old time war choruses and ditties, and reviving war reminiscences, these b-« ing interspersed with impromptu speeches (some of which were exceedingly humorous) and the honouring of toasts. At an interval in the programme a sit-down .supper was served, consisting of hot saveloys and mashed potatoes and hot pies, these being dispensed by the camp cooks, Messrs T. King and W. Terry, ably assisted (by Messrs F. Burke and Ken Gardner. As chairman, Mr C. M. Cronquest, was an unqualified success, as he never permitted a dull moment'to enter into the proceedings, everything going with a swing frm start to finish, with the result that members are now looking forward to another similar gathering. * The toast of “The King” was proposed by the Mayor and after the singing of the “National Anthem” a number of old time war choruses and ditties were sung. This was followed by the toast of the 8.5. A., proposed by Mr Todd vice-president.

Eeplying to the toast Mr Hamilton, president of the Levin E.S.A., in stating he was pleased to be with them on this occasion, mentioned that the annual re-Union of his old regiment, the Wellington Mounteds, was being held in Palmerston North that evening. He had never missed one of their reunions sinee> he had come back from the war, until that evening. He was pleased to see such a good muster considering the hard times, as the Shannon branch had never been strong numerically, but he hoped that next year they would have a membership of forty. Some nine years ago the membership of the Levin branch was only 65, but last year the roll was the strongest they had ever .had, -namely 137; This year he hoped that .sub-branches would be formed at Otaki and Te Horo. If these' are established they hoped to reach the 200 miark. One reason that he would like to see the 200 mark reached was that they would be better treated in the way of grants from the Canteen Fund. He had found that where a branch had a membership of over 200 they got a monthly grant, while -under that number it was a quarterly grant. For relief purposes this year they had received £BS, but if they got over the 200 mark they might receive double that amount. Touching on the economic state in New Zealand at the present time, and the extra taxes placed on the people, he stated that unfortunately the returned soldier had not been left out. The E.S.A. Executive had, ever since the Economic Commission brought down its re-, port, been in close touch with Cabinet, with the result that every matter placed before Cabinet had been acceded to. Eeferring to the economic pension he said this was given when the cost of living was high. With ‘the cuts in wages and salaries the cost of living must come down and it was only reasonable that such pensions must come down. With the exception of this pension the others had been retained, which he thought was a wonderful thing for the E.S.A. Those of them left must -realise that they went out to fight for the Empire and New Zealand as young mem and faced the trials and conditions that prevailed during the war; therefore was it n<st only reasonable that they .should face the present position, as they did then; as soldiers, they should (get into the collar and help. If they sowed the seed of confidence there will be a much earlier restoration! to prosperity. There was no country equal to. this glorious Dominion., In appealing to every “Digger” to become a romber of the Association immediately, he. pointed out that it was not financial support they wanted but the weight of numbers. The lot of, the returned soldier was by no means settled and there were those who regularly needed assistance. He remarked that on one occasion the Prince of Wales had stated that to be a. member of such an Association was a privilege that every returned man should prize. It was not an honour or right, but a privilege only men who fought in the Avar could enjoy. As one grew older the privilege grew. In conclusion he thanked the members for the opportunity to address them and the kind remarks made in connection with the E.S.A. The President then announced that Mr Hamilton had handed to him a cheque for £5 from the Levin Association for the Shannon branch’s share of the Canteen Fund. This money is to be used to help to subsidise Avork for any returned man during the off week. On behalf of the gathering Mr Cronqust moved that Mr Hamilton be thanked for his attendance and interesting talk on E.S.A. affairs. The motion was unanimously carried by acclamation. Other toasts honoured Avere “Kindred Services,’’ mo-ved by Mr E. Hook, responded to by Mr W. N. Brown (South African Veterans), Mr J. Campbell (Navy); on behalf of Nurses and V.A.D., Mr C. Pilkington; “Our Chef,’’ proposed by Mr H. Tayler, resoonded to by Chef Tom King; “The

Visitors,” Mr G-. Hemmingson, responded to by Mr Standard (Le v in); ti Absent Comrades”; “Press”; ExImperial Men.” During the evening vocal items were rendered by Messrs J. Campbell, W. Terry, P, Peach, and J. T* Bo vis, .au being'much appreciated. Mr G. Hemmingsen acted as accompanist -throughout the evening. After tributes of praise had been made to all the willing helpers who had assisted towards making the evening such a success, specially mentioning Messrs Tom King and W. Terry, who, had prepared the supper, and Mr G. Hemmingsen: for presiding at the piano, a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close (by all joining hands and singing “Auld Lan-- Syne.”