EX-SOLDIERS' REUNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 14

EX-SOLDIERS' REUNION.

:— MATAMATA DISTRICT. ■ i ASSISTANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] MATAMATA, Saturday. The first annual reunion of ex-service-men in the Putaruru, lirau, Tohoroa and Okoroire districts was held last evening. Mr. N. R. Higginson presided and a 'lengthy toast list was honoured. Messrs. G. G. Bell and the Rev.. Manemphasised the need for soldiers joining up again with their associations so that those who were in want could be looked after. As a result of the appeal 77 names were handed in. A collection, to be forwarded to the Auckland branch to assist in relieving distress, realised £ll. The meeting also decided to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister: "This meeting emphasises the urgent necessity of providing work for ex-soldiers who are unemployed, so a3 to fulfil the promises ma'de to them when they left New Zealand for the front." TAKAPUNA GATHERING, INCREASED MEMBERSHIP. * The Takapuna Ex-Servicemen's Club, which now comprises nearly 150 members, held its fourth annual rounion on Saturday evening, the president, Mr. B. C. Hart, presiding. , The president in his address spoke of tho remarkable success of the club and of tho recent substantial increase in its membership, also of the club's very successful effort to ensure that every ex-ser-viceman living in Takapuna was kept out of the ranks of the unemployed. In this connection, ho asked for support for the street collection to bo made in tho boiouch on July 12. Tho toast of tho evening, "The Combined Services," was proposed by Captain Sharpe, secretary of tho Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, and responded to by Mr. C. Hewson, on behalf of the Navy, Mr. J. Crichton, V.0., on behalf of tho Army, and Mr. C. Pettil, on behalf of the United States Army. Other toasts wero also honoured. An enjoyable programme of concert items w§s submitted.