Returned Soldiers Recall War Years At Annual Reunion

Northern Advocate, 27 April 1939, Page 5

Returned Soldiers Recall War Years At Annual Reunion

TJLNEWTNG OLD FRIENDSHIPS AND SWOPPING YARNS OF THE WAR DAYS, 300 DIGGERS ONCE MORE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THEMSELVES IN THE WHANGAREI TOWN HALL LAST NIGHT. The occasion was the annual rc-u ruon of the Whangarei Empire ExServicemen's Association, and, in addition to large numbers of local returned men, there were full contingents present from Otamatea, Kawakawa and other Northland centres. The attendance was fully up to the standard of previous years, and the reunion was regarded as one of the mest successful in the association’s history. i

“Every Anzac Day I feel more confident that the first answer to any call for service will be from the R.5.A.,” said Mr Bert Jacobs, Dominion vicepresident of the association, who was guest of honour for the evening. Distinguished Visitors. Together with Mr Jacobs, there was a distinguished array of visitors. General Sir Andrew Russell, president, and Colonel Barrowclough, vice* president, of the New Zealand Defence League, attended the closing stages of the gathering after having addressed another meeting in Whangarei, while also grouped at the official table were Mr J. G. Barclay, M.P., the Mayor, Mr W. Jones, Mr Lusk, president of the Kawakawa branch of the R.S.A., Mr B. Cox, president of the Otamatea branch, Colonel J. N. McCarroll and Mr G. N. Morris, S.M.

Governments’ Good Treatment. “Much of our success depends on the goodwill of the Government, but all Governments have treated us pretty well. There may be various aspects of cur difficulties not understood by them, and that is because it is difficult to understand the psychology of the returned soldier. “What is it that holds us together?” he asked. “Nobody can give a satisfactory answer. “The only definition is the tie of common service.” Dominion’s Duty. Reviewing the present-day situation, Mr Jacobs said that up to two yea-’S ago the R.S.A.’s connection with Anzac Day had been that it owed a duty to the new generation. Its members had participated in a great upheaval tritely described as a “war to end war,” and it had been thought that the rising generation should be led to appreciate the sacrifices which had been made in the last conflict and that it should strive to ensure there would be no repetition. “To-day those confident hopes have been rudely shattered,” continued Mr Jacobs. “We are wondering what tomorrow holds for us. “To-day we have a greater duty than ever before, in giving example and leading not only the younger generation, but everybody, to make the sacrifices of body and mind necessary to ensure peace. “The only effective way of preserving peace is by preparing for war; a principle which has been accepted by every nation.

Mr H. C. Hemphill, president of the Whangarei association, presided. Jollity and good spirits were the keynote of the evening. With Mr J. Brunker at the piano, community singing was led by Mr S. C. Blanshard, while vocal solos were given by Messrs Nelson Procter and W. Williams (Otamatea). Mr W. H. Muller (Waipu) presented a violin solo, and humorist of the evening was Mr Smith (Otamatea). After the loyal toast had been honoured, Mr Ben Cox proposed the toast of Fallen Comrades. . Fallen Cpmrades. He was proposing a toast in keeping' with the sentiments of the past few days, he said. <! They handed us on a torch to carry, and we promised them to end war for all time,” Mr Cox added. “Have we kept that promise? Are we prepared to make the sacrifice they made?” “It is to carry on those traditions and hope that we honour them in this way tonight.” A welcome to; the visitors .was extended by the Mayor/Mr W. Jones; on behalf ■ of the borough council and people of Whangarei. “It is quite unnecessary for me to introduce Mr Jacobs to you, because of the* 1 number of years of service he has given on our bfehalf,” said Mr Hemphill in presenting the guest of the evening, whose health was toasted enthusiastically. “One requires the constitution of a horse and the stomach of an ostrich for' theljob I am doing,” said Mr Jacobs, speaking in characteristic vein. “My constitution is all right, but I am..not so sure about the stomach.” •M R.9.A. of Today. Mr Jacobs drew a contrast between the present-day administration of the Returned Soldiers’ Association as compared with the administration of the forces during the war. “Then it was the men in high places who formulated the policy of the army, and the rank and file who put it into effect,” he said. “Today it is private soldiers who decide the policy and the red tape artists who carry it out. The only point of similarity is that headquarters still takes the criticism.

“Great Britain recently announced that in preparation for defence she was to spend £800,000,000 in three years. Less than six months of the last war cost Great Britain that amount and upwards of 1,000,000 dead. “However, I am satisfied that in the event of war each one of the returned men will do what he can. “You belong to the biggest and most select society in the Dominion,” he told his hearers, in appealing to them to continue their efforts to make the R.S.A. the most outstanding in the history of New Zealand. Sir Andrew Russell. The toast of General Sir Andrew Russell was proposed by Mr J. N. McCarroll. In his reply, Sir Andrew stressed the need for more adequate defence measures/ in New Zealand. “People demand security, and public opinion will result in a practical policy being pursued by the Government,” he said. He thanked the gathering for the warm welcome he had been accorded. British Services. The toast of the British services, the Army, Navy. Air Force and Mercantile Marine, was in ,the hands of Dr. Frazerhurst, formerly of Whangarei. “At the present time there is no toast more deserving of attention,” ho said. “Our safety and freedom of speech depends on His Majesty's forces. They are the bulwarks of England and the Empire.” Now Zealand’s Defence Lacking. The need for more adequate defence in New Zealand was further emphasised by Mr McCarroll in responding to the toast.

“My job as far as possible is to rub shoulders with our members, and the task of headquarters is to try to understand the men and their difficulties and to solve their problems.