RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Hutt News, Volume 7, Issue 23, 14 November 1934, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

—,—— OFFICIAL OPENING OF CLUB ROOMS. SUCCESSFUL LOWER HUTT ' FUNCTION. As was anticipated, the official .open--1 ing of the ILS.A. club rooms on the eve 5 of Armistice Day, November 10, wa>- * a great success, Mr. G. Hay ton, presi- : dent, presiding over a crowded attend- ; ance. In his opening remaiiks, he stated how proud he was to be presi ' dent, of the branch during the time tin i club rooms had become an establishes i'act. Ho drew attention to the tw< i black and white cartoons of the walls; ' His Majesty's troop transport returning in calm waters, symbolical of .tlx return to peace and prosperity, the re alisation of which we all earnestly hop* .or. On the other wall, was the goo< >hip '' R.S.A.'' sailing, on an even kei ,vith all sails set, again symbolical o the smooth running of the activities oi .the association. Mr. Haytott eulogised the present executive and warned any .tiembers present that if they intended to stand for executive at th next annual general meeting they would have to work hard. Mr. Hay ton then introduced Colonel A. Cowles, president oJi the Wellington U.S.A., the parent body, remarking that it was litting that the president of that body should open the club rooms of the branch, .In his remarks Jol. Oowles expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present that evening to perform the opening ceremony. He dated that the Ii.S.A. during the past three or four years hud awakened to their responsibilities in assisting in jvery way possible the returned men and their dependents. The association was not out to bleed the public, he said, but to ask for their help and cooperation wherever possible. Every oranch had to be self-supporting in any social activities and there was no great overhead expense in the way of nigh salaries at headquarters. in declaring the rooms open, he wished that every success attend the functions held therein for many years—in fact while there was still a soldier in the country. That ,he said, amidst laughter, would be a long time, because "old soldiers never die." Mr. S. J. Harrison, general secretary at Dominion headquarters, who accompanied Colonel Cowles, made brief re-ference-to the ever increasing membership, which, he considered, was an indication of revival of interests all'ccting ex-service men. The Ii.S.A. was the most democratic body to which one could belong and any reasonable request sent, to headquarters would always receive a fair hearing. He paid generous tribute to the work of the women who had stood behind them and had helped them during the years of war and now, when the men had reM.Mied, still stood by them and worked together. Mr. Walter Nash, M.F., wlio spoke for the electors and not on behalf ol the citizens, he said, because to be a citizen was purely a parochial affair, congratulated the branch on 'obtaining the line rooms. It was litting that club rooms such as these should be established for the social welfare of the returned men, their wives and friends. Any thing he could do, said Mr. Nash, U. assist the returned soldier, the return--1 ed soldier's widow or the Ii.S.A. la L would devote every minute of his tinu to doing, because they deserved a lot. An enjoyable musical programme was presented, those who contributeu ; being Alesdames Tunloy, Noel Taylor. ' Wilfred Andrews, Miss Grade Kerr, 1 Miss Meta. McKeiina and Mr. E. Glad ' ing. The accompaniments were playeu ' by Mesdames J. W. Andrews and N. ' Taylor. Community singing was led 1 by Mr. Will Mason, the well-known ' Wellington leader, accompanied on the 1 piano by Mr. R. Brown. Many of tlu old war-time choruses were demanded by the ex-service men present and ub joined in with a cheerful spirit of tlu war days. Dancing was followed b) ' supper, which was provided by the women's auxiliary, the music being sup- ' plied by volunteer pianists. Altogether the function proved a most enjoyable and memorable one.