“N” SQUADRON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 58, 6 February 1928, Page 3

“N” SQUADRON.

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN

OBJECTS OF MOVEMENT.

A representative gathering of over 30 members of the Legion of Frontiersmen from various parts of the North Island and those interested in the movement attended a general meeting of tlio recently established “N” Squadron, Manawatu, held in the Soldiers' Club on Saturday evening. Major A. W. Stuart Moray, D. 5.0., presided and included among others present were the commandant, Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. Weston, D. 5.0., (New Plymouth), Captain M. Roberts, V.D., (Wellington) and Legion-Lieutenant Hurstkouse (Wellington). Prior to the general meeting a short committee session was conducted, several matters pertaining to the welfare of the local body being reviewed. The gathering was then thrown open to all members and the chairman briefly introduced the visitors. The first speaker was LieutenantColonel Weston, who congratulated Palmerston North upon the formation of a squadron and in this connection paid a tribute to Frontiersman Fraser for the outstanding work accomplished. Such a squadron as the local one, he siad, meant a (letter linking up of the New Zealand Legion and a creditable service to that body. At the present time there were also branches in W ellington, Wanganui, Hawera, New Plymouth and Hastings. Branches in the Wairarapa, Poverty Bay. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and North Aiickland were defunct, but it was hoped to resuscitate them. Unfortunately, however, there were no squadrons i>n the South Island as yet. Continuing, the speaker declared that the legion offered nothing but a wonderful spirit of comradeship —it was all a matter of giving, but in the giving one received the gain. “It is a body composed of men who have knocked about the world, had the corners taken off them, and have learnt to appreciate the value of men and things,’ said Lieutenant-Colonel Weston. The main object of the legion is to help maintain the Empire as it has been handed down to us to-day ; it is a great heritage and we want to hand it on to our successors a little better if possible.” There was little that could be done in the time of peace except to exert a moral uplift and assist the defence department to the best of their ability, but it could be said that there was always something requiring attention. . . , , Explaining the constitution of the legion, the speaker proceeded to outline further activities. Headquarters was “merely a skeleton” but the various squadrons, divided into troops etc., really constituted the units of the movement. Palmerston North, he thought, should embrace four troops— Levin, Foxton, Feikling and the local onc —but this was a matter to be decided by the executive. . In conclusion, the speaker instanced what could be done by the legion in time of war. Then could the members emulate the spirit of their predecessors in the Great War. Figures, he said, revealed that a wonderful record had been established by the legion, a high percentage of the members going on service, while a large number had made the supreme sacriflC Major G. Bertram next addressed the gathering, the previous speaker having characterised him as one who did the actual work of the squadron. London was the chief headquarters of the legion with the whole of the Empire split up into commands, said Major Bertram. At present there was only one command headquarters in New Zealand, this being at New Plymouth, where a small executive controlled the affairs of the Dominion body. He then went on to detail all matters necessary for the correct running of. a squadron, this information being readily appreciated by local members in view of the newly formed branch. The speaker also mentioned that the command had three cups open for shooting competition and rules were being drafted in this regard. Captain Roberts also spoke briefly, mentioning that the Legion of Frontiersmen had originated from a scheme formulated by Captain Pocock, of the North-West Mounted Police, who saw the necessity for comradeship and launched the movement. The fact that 9000 men had laid down their lives in the Great War was in itself, a tribute from the legion which cduld not remain unheeded. /