HOKITIKA R.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1937, Page 4

HOKITIKA R.S.A.

QUARTERLY meeting. WELCOME TO W. EASTGATE. The quarterly general meeting of the Hokitika Returned Woldiers’ Association was field last evening in the Soldiers’ Hall, at which Air vV. E. Brown (president) occupied the chair. The President stated that there would not be a great deAl of business to submit as the meetings was principally called lor the purpose ol extending a welcome Home to Air W. Eastgate, their representative at the Coronation and to near a report of the recent Dominion Conici cnee from iu'r if. Paterson who attended as delegate from thi s branch. Lie aiso refeiied to suggestions that have been made for ventilating the nad and the neat mg of the s-.pper rooms, both matters being authorised by the meeting. '

Mr it. Paterson then reported on flie Conference and stated that it was omeially opened by the Mayor of Wellington Mr Hislop, who himself is an ex-serviceman. 'the Hon. Jones was also in attendance and expressed his apprveciatino to the N.Z.R.S.A. for their assistance in selecting the Coronation contingent. He referred also to many anomalies that exist in matters concerning ex-servicemen and stated that he had always found the Association very reasonable in their demands and any decisions of the Conference that were referred to Cabinet would receive sympathetic consideration. The President of the Conference reported t-liai His Majesty the King had notified that he would be pleased to accept the position of Patron of the N.Z.R.S.A. Mr Paterson dwelc at length with the various remits that were discussed at the Conference and stressed the high tone of the debates and the enthusiasm of the delegates. As far as the Canteen Fund wa s concerned it was decided to suggest that the sum of £12,000 annually be made available for assistance f among ex-servicemen. An imitation was received from the Ex-Servicemen League of Australia to send 1000 members of the N.Z.R.S.A. to the celebrations in Sydney of the 150th Anniversary of Australia to be held next year. The Dominion Council will go into the matter and more will be heard of it in the, near future. At the conclusion of the address Mr Paterson was unanimously accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services at the conference and for his able and instructive report. ;

Welcome Home. The President then extended a welcome to Mr Eastgate who gave a very interesting address on his experiences while with the Coronation Contingent, lib presented to the ILS.A. a piece of bunting, representing the King’s colours that had been suspended across the Strand on the Coronation Day. Mr Eastgate said they had a wonderful time. He particularly mentioned Lord Nuffield and General Godley } both of whom did everything possible to entertain them. He said that the General was with them nearly every day and seemed to take great pride in his association with the New Zealand troops. The training of the men in England comprised principally of a nine mile march each morning. The food in camp was the usual army issue, and was • quite satisfactory. They had plenty of leave in the afternoon and at night and so long as they were back in camp for Reveille, they were not put “on the mat.” 'The Coronation Day wa s a very strenuous time and the New Zealand and Rhodesian torops were the only two Contingents that did not lose any men during the day, the strain being very severe. The day was commenced at 4 a.m. and the troops were kept going all day until about 5 P-m. The rain in the latter part of the day made them all wet through and they did not get back to quarters until 6.30 p.m. After that they joined in the revels in London. The next day all the Colonial troops 1,400 in number, were paraded to Buckingham Palace where they were inspected by the King and then pre-. sen ted with the Coronation Medals. After that they were inspected by tho members of the Royal Family. In Mr Eastgate’s opinion the Canadian mounted were the show troops of the Coronation. They were a very smart Hidy of-men and it was a treat to see them. The uniforms of the New Zealand

troops "'as a sore point with our men, and were a decided contrast to the tailor made uniiorms of all the troops in the procession. Jt was just the regulation issue and regulation boots and while the English papers complimented them on their bearing, much criticism was levelled at the dress of the N.Z. Men. After the Coronation the contingent was taken to various parts of England and Scotland and Mr Eastgate was very lavish in his praise of the entertainment they received by the people of Edinburgh. The Provist Marshall was their host there and he gave them a wonderful time. They also viewed the Naval . Review at SpLheard. He said it was a wonderful and inspiring sight. The ex-servicemen of the Contingent were very disappointed that thentour did not extend to France and the only satisfaction they could get to their representations in this repect, was that lack of finance would not permit it. They were also disappointed in not seeing anything of Mr Savage during their stay in England. They did expect to be used as a guard of honour to New Zealand’s Prime Minister at some of the ceremonies, or at least to receive a visit from him. Mr Eastgate could not speak too highly of the kindness showered upon them on every possible occasion and he felt very proud and honoured to have taken part in the N.Z. representation at the Coronation,