RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 12

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSOCIATION

VALUE OF CLOSE COMRADESHIP / GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, 27th April. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, has sent the following message to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association: “On this occasion of the: 21st anniversary of the foundation of I the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’| Association I cordially send greetings | and good wishes to those survivors of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who when the call came proudly left these shores to fight for King and Country. During those 21 years vast changes have taken place throughout the world and undreamt of difficulties have arisen to confront the people of the Empire. The younger generation which knows little of the enormous sacrifices made during the Great War now forms a large part of the community. Many of our war-time comrades have passed away. Some unfortunately are still suffering from the efTects of wounds, o hers have been stricken with illness, while other again have found it a matter of grave concern \ during the period of unprecedented depression to maintain themselves and ■ their families in reasonable comfort

“At the present time there are definite signs that the economic storm is lifting and hopes in the future are high. 1 “Nevertheless it behoves all returned soldiers to rally round their association and strengthen the hands of the organisation so that it may be in a better position to ensure that ex-servicemen who are in need shall receive the consideration they deserve. As the years go by we old soldiers come to realise more and more the value of close comradeship and mutual help and to recognise that the greater the strength of the association the more it will be able to do in the interests of returned soldiers. We have come to appreciate more fully the desirability of keeping alive the spirit cf self-sacrifice and the need for fostering that spirit in the new j generation, especially at a time when the world is once again threatened with turmoil. Ex-servicemen of New Zealand, I know you can be relied upon to play your part in the community. I wish you all good luck”