Halcombe Returned Soldiers

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 173, 25 July 1935, Page 3

Halcombe Returned Soldiers

ANNUAL REUNION There was a. good muster of district roturned soldiers present lor tlic animal reunion of the Halcombo branch

held on Tuesday night iu lleappy's hall, with Mr Gordon Burgess (president) in the chair. The guests present included Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister ol Defence, and representatives of the Bulls, Martou and Bedding branches. After tlio loyal toast had been hon-

oured the Minister of Defence briefly addressed the gathering and ia the course of his remarks stressed the value of the returned soldiers’ organisation as the medium through which the comradeship of the Great War could ever bo maintained. He could assure the gathering that ho always kept in touch with the association and was ever interested iu the progress of the organisation. Certain matters concerning the welfare of returned men were now under review by the Government as a consequence of conferences held with the president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and while he was unable to comment upon the position ho could assure the gathering that tlio Government would always accord returned soldiers the utmost sympathy.

, Tho toast of “Absent Comrades" ! was eloquently proposed by Mr Gregory, of Marton, and honoured in Silence. Mr K. M. Little, of Feildiug, proposed (ho toast of tho N.Z.E.S.A., and spoko of the great work that had been accomplished by the parent body. Mr L. Miller, secretary of the Feeding branch, replied and gave those present some of his experiences at the annual conference of tho association. “The Sister Services’’ was proposed by ; Mr W. Booth, of Fcilding, and in his remarks ho touched upon the work of 1 tho Navy, the Imperial Forces, the Air Force, and all’ oilier units. Mr J. McMillan, who served with Ibo Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, llio regiment which had tho honour of first engaging the Gormans, and fought so nobly in the retreat from Mons, replied, paying a tributo to the New Zealanders, whom lie said were the most popular troops on the battlefield. Mr E. W. Cowdrey proposed the (oast of “The Ladies," and took the opportunity of referring to the noblo work of the nurses during tho Great War. Mr Warner replied. Tho toast, ‘ ‘Those who stayed at home," was handled by Mr Churchill, of Bulls, who in tho course of his remarks mentioned the dark days endured by mothers, fathers, sisters, wives and children who were compelled to wait, fearing that each day would sco the arrival of the dreaded telegram from the front. Ho 'also referred to the work of the patriotic societies and others who had to play a part on the “homo front." The Minister replied and agreed with the remarks of Mr Churchill, stating that 'thoso who went away never appreciated the silent suffering that was endured by mothers, wives and. children. Musical items were given by Mr Churchill, who led the gathering in. community sieging with Mr C. Edwards, of Bulls, at the piano. In the course of a short speech later in tho evening the Minister of Defence touched upon the precautions being taken by the New Zealand Government to strengthen the defences of the country. He reminded tho gathering that the world was far from being in a settled condition and different

happenings here and there called for somo appreciation of their likely repercussions, and it was in consequenco of this that tho Government had been [moved to see that its coastal defences wero strengthened. No one wanted War, but it was absolutely necessary Ithat steps be taken to see that the icountry was capable of protecting itself in the event of trouble arising which might involve tho Dominion. With tho official programme coitiduded, the remainder of tho evening 'was devoted to song and story.