SAMOAN ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19419, 30 August 1926, Page 10

SAMOAN ANNIVERSARY.

EX-SERVICEMEN'S REUNION. PLEA FOR GREATER INTEREST. ■I T WfHELPING THE ADMINISTRATION. The landing of the New Zealand Forces at Samoa in 1914 was commemorated on Saturday evening at the annual reunion of the Samoan Ex-Servicemen's Association, Major G. E. Simeon, of the Territorial Division, presided. Speaking of the progress of the association* Major Simeon said it had had a successful year and was financially sound. The excess of income over expenditure amounted to £l2 6s 9d. There was a need for members to take more interest in the affairs of the association. A definite duty was being asked of it by General Richardson, Administrator, of Samoa, and he hoped that every man would do his bit. General Richardson was asking that everything possible should be done by Samoan ex-servicemen in giving help to any Samoans who might come to New Zealand, so that the people of Samoa- might realise the benefits of British rule.

If Germany wished to get back her colonies she could approach the League of Nations to take a referendum among the inhabitants of her former possessions. There was need, therefore, that a feeling favourable to Britain should be fostered among the people of Samoa. " I am a strong Imperialist," said Major Simeon, amid applause. "We do not want the results of our pioneer work in Samoa to be wasted."

: General Richardson had caused a monument to be erected near the spot where the New Zealand troops first landed. The monument had been suitably inscribed and had been placed in a position where it could bo seen for miles around.

The election of officers resulted:—! President, Major G, E. Simeon; vicepresidents, Captain W. L. Mitchell and Colonel McQuarrie; secretary, Captain J. D. Swan; assistant secretary, Mr. D; Cresser; treasurer, Captain Neely. The following committee, representing all the units in the first landing force at Samoa, was chosen: —Messrs. D. Cresser (3rd Auckland Company), L. Campbell (Railway Engineers), Teague (Relief Force), Haslett (Medical Corps), T. Venables (Wireless), Hanna (Army Service Corps), Beagle (Machine Gun Corps), R. Pountney (Signal Corps). Messrs. H. Howlett and Higginson were also elected to* make the required number.