R.S.A. Reunion

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 8

R.S.A. Reunion

OVER 200 MEMBERS ATTEND ANNUAL “NIGHT OUT” MEMORABLE EVENING , Tthe annual reunion of the members of the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers* Association was held on Saturday evening and with over 200 * 1 Diggers’ * out to make it another memorable occasion in the history of this association, it proved a very jolly evening. The genial president (Mr. B. J. Jacobs) was in the chair and in exceptionally good form and the proceedings went with a swing from start to finish. Associated with Mr. Jacobs at the top table were the Mayor (Mr. A. E Mansford), Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., Major F. Garner, Messrs. P. A. MeHardy, J. A. Nash, C. Louisaon, A. E. Bennett G. Tremaine, and 8. W. Lankshear, representing the South African veterans. The programme was opened with the loyal toast, and the one to 1 ‘Fallen Comrades,** tfee latter being observed in silence. ■ Extending a to the association ’s guests, the chairman spoke of Mr. McHardy as the father of the club, Mr. Nash as one of their oldest friends, of Mr. Loaissoh as the first president of the Soldiers* Club, and to the Mayor and Mr. Tremaino as representing their friends the citizens of Palmerston North. Ho also made special mention of Mr. Hodgens’ presence, stating that he war with them for the first time in his official capacity as Member for the district. Mr. Jacobs also extended fraternal greetings to Mr. Lankshear as the representative of the South African veterans, aod to Mr. J. S. MeKinlay, tho president of the Ashhurst branch of the Palmerston North Returned Soldiers* Association. Tho president next called the roll, and he mentioned most if not all of the branches of the British Army and all units of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. As each regiment or branch of the Service was mentioned, the members who had been honoured to belong rose to their feet and were enthusiastically greeted. The toast of the 4 ‘New Zealand R.S.A.” was ably proposed by the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) wtoo, to begin with, thanked Mr. Jacobs for the invitation to be present and congratulated him on bis election as president of the Palmerston North R.S.A. for the twenty-first time. Speaking to the toast Mr. Mansford said that every citizen of the Dominion would join with him in congratulating the New Zealand Association on attaining its majority. The Mayor then spoke of the fine wo.k the association was doing and of the wonderfully wide outlook of the men who were in control of the association ’a affairs. After briefly speaking of the legislation that had been brought abou* as a result of tho association’s efforts: and of the schemes which had been put j into effect, ho ventured to suggest that j there was no reason to doubt that the j future waa going to be bright for the j association. He added that the torch of , the R.S.A. would shine more brightly) as time went on. (Applause.) Rising to reply, Mr. Jacobs explained be was going to speak, not os president ©l: the Piiuierstuu North Association but as au emissary lrorn headquarter*,. The association had been in existence tor 21 years despite the criticism oi me constitution, made by a minority Who honestly thought that, because oi the constitution, the life of the association could not oe more than from hve to ten years. Air. J aeons, reviewing the early years of the association, mention ed me effort by the four major centre? to get complete automony for associations. To uay, however, each association electeu, according to numerical strength, delegates who were seut to \> 9 ugton armed with voting strength. \\ #-.e ju Wellington at the National C'ouiereuce these delegates considered \arious matters and made the policy oi the association, in striking contrast to military headquarters uuring the war, the headquarters of the KJS.A. had nothing to do with the policy of the association, which was lixed by the delegates under instruction from the different associations. Where military heauquarters gave instructions which were carried out by the men in the uuugeruua front line, the members oi the iI.S.A. iormed the policy and headquarters —really the front line —had the job of carrying it out. He added that headquarters, which had had some exceptionally brilliant men associated with it, was a very live body with u lecord of achievement it might justly be proud. In conclusion, Air. Jacoos gave it as lus considered opinion tnat me association was stronger now than ever before, and that ex-servicemen should never forget their allegiance to the KH.A. There was a very pleasing interlude when the chairman, alter thanking Mr. Bill Larkin and Mr. Fred Gedsou and their orchestras for all they had done for the Palmerston North K.S.A., asked Mr. Larkin to accept a tobacco pouch bnd Mr. Gedsou a shaving outfit as a small gesture of appreciation from the members. Toast of Parliament. The toast of “ Parliament * * was ably proposed by Mr. J. W. Rutherfurd, who said the debt the R.S.A. owed to Parliament was a very big one. He stated that when the soldiers returned to New Zealand they were comparatively young men and with none of the means of bringing pressure to bear on the Government. In spite of having no influence he claimed they had been better treated by the Government which had at all times generously met the requests that had been made. Mr. Rutherfurd enumerated a number of benefits now available to returned soldiers and of schemes which had been introduced for the repatriation of men who had served overseas. He held thg: these were evidence of the earnest desire of Parliament to help ex-service meu. (Applause.)

Air. Hodgens was greeted with shouts of “Good old Joe** when he rose to respond, and it was some time before he was permitted to speak. When he did get the chance, Mr. Hodgens said that though he bad been at other reunions of the association, he never dreamt that he, as member for the dis-

trict, would sit alongside tu. ... .i man. He tha'nked Mr. Rutherfuiu aoi hi* kindly references and agreed with him that Parliament was a tremendous power for either good or for evil and that it was a tremendous thing in tho* life of a nation. He went on to speak of all that the King stood for iu the British Empire and of the tremendous responsibility resting upon the member* of the Royal Family, particularly on the shoulders of his Majesty King George VI. Continuing, he said: “You have seen a Parliament call on tho manhood of a country and you have seen Parliament make laws; there is a room in Parliament buildings and if any of you come to Wellington I will be pleased if you will call on me. i deeply appre ciate the kind things that have been said by Mr. Rutherfurd and the kindly references made by your chairman. 1 feel that there is some good yet in the country.” (Cheers.) The toast “Kindred Associations” was proposed by Mr. George Northey and responded to by Messrs. S. W. Lankshear (South African War Veterans), 1L F. Honore (Legion of Frontiersmen) and J. S. McKinlay (Ashhurst R.S.A.). The lighter side of the not too heavy programme was provided by Bill Larkin and his orchestra, A. W. Chapman, who led some very fine community singing in which the company joined lustily in old marching songs, M. Marvin (mouth organ), Jack Wilson (Comedy turn), H. Pierard (songs) and Fred Godson (xylophone).