EX-SERVICEMEN'S REUNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20427, 2 December 1929, Page 16

EX-SERVICEMEN'S REUNION.

FUNCTION AT BIRKENHEAD. LOCAL ASSOCIATION PROPOSAL. Nearly 100 ex-servicemen residing at Birkenhead, Birkdalo and Northcote attended a reunion at the Victoria Hall, Birkenhead, on Saturday evening. Dr. J. W. Craven presided. The visitors included Commodore G. Blake, Major-General Sir George Richardson and Mr. E. H. Sharp, secretary of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. > The toast, "Absent Comrades," proposed by Mr. W. S. Garrett, was honoured by thirty seconds' silence and the singing of the hymn, "Eternal Father." " The Aussies, Tommies and Allied Arms," was proposed by Mr. E. Sinel, Mr. G. Sowdcn replying. In proposing the " Navy, Mercantile Marine, and Air Force," Sir George Richardson remarked that nothing he could say could add to their appreciation of what the navy did for them in the Great War. New Zealand particularly realised the wonderful achievement of the silent navy, without whose protection the Dominion could not have sent its men to Samoa, its 100,000 men overseas, and transported the sick and wounded to hospitals across the English Channel. The notable work of the mercantile marine was recalled, and a tribute was paid to the work of the air force. Commodore Blake, who was welcomed with cheers and the singing of " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," this being his first visit to Birkenhead, said Lord Jellicoe knew, and he also knew from his short experience hero, that the people of Now Zealand appreciated the navy—more so than in tho Old Country, where it was taken more or less for granted. In all criticism of the navy during the war, it should' bo remembered that it took two to make a fight, and for one fleet by itself to force another fleet out of its base was an impossibility. Besides existing for tho purpose of attack, the function of the navy was to safeguard tho transportation of troops across tho English Channel and the gallant men from the Dominions who came to help them. Thoy had as allies the mercantile marine—unconquerable men, and the heroos of tho war. Taking an unarmed ship into a submarino area, or the responsibility of a ship with one antiauated gun on tho poop, required supreme courage. They took off their hats to the mercantile marino. Tho Air Force was rather tho friend of tho Navy, and co-operation was really the watchword, not only to-day, but during tho war. It was all a matter of co-operation between the respective forces. The troops could not be transported but for the Navy, which could not have existed but for tho help of the troops on the Western Front. It had been good team work, with all striving for tho same object. Mr. W. J. Canty, proposing the toast of tho "Returned Soldiers' Asosciation," said the outcome of tho gathering would bo the formation of a local ex-servicemen's association, which would bo affiliated with tho parent body. lie mentioned that Mr. J. C. Yeoman, tho Chelsea manager of the Colonial Sugar Company and an Australian ex-serviceman, had promised every support- Tho provisional committee comprised Messrs. W. C.-Noech, F. Tothill, A. Fraser, A. White, J. Davies, W. S. Garrett, T. Dale (treasurer) and J. W. Canty (secretary). Replying, Mr. Sharp congratulated the district on such a fine gathering. During the past six weeks, ox-servicemen's associations had boon formed at Pukekohe and Warkworth, and now another was to bo established at Birkenhead. The Takapuna ex-servicemen were conducting an excellent social club, and at Otahuhu there was an organisation of a similar nature. That showed that tho ex-servicemon were netting togethor, and realised tho necessity for standing together. lie recounted somo of the vicissitudes of tho Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. Tho largo membership had fallen to 912 and had increased to 996 last year. This year they hoped to excood the thousand mark. Mr. Sharp said if it had not beon for tho association thero would have been no Pensions Appeal Board, before which, freo to the appellant, he had during the "past years personally conducted over 1000 cases, 66 per cent, of which had boen successful. " Now Zealand Forces (Territorials)" was proposed by Mr. R. R. Hayman, Mr. Frank Wilson replying. Other toasts honoured were "The Veterans," proposed by Mr. S. Carter, and "The Ladies," by the chairman. The sum of £2 10s was collected for the roll of honour fund.