A GREAT COMRADESHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20268, 29 November 1927, Page 10

A GREAT COMRADESHIP.

SOLDIERS MEET MR AMERY. PRESENTATIONS IN WELLINGTON. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 28. “ It is a great comradeship which the Soldiers’ Associations stand for, and they mean a great deal to the British Empire. The little handful of men who were trained, inspired, and schooled in Britain’s little wars, and particularly the South African campaign, are an important link in the chain which hinds the nation together. The relatives of the men who have made the supreme sacrifice love the Empire better for the sacrifices they have made for it.” These sentiments were expressed by Mr Amery in responding to the welcome extended to him by the Returned Soldiers’ Associations to-day. The attendance included representatives of the New Zealand South African War Veterans’ Association, the Legion of Frontiersmen, the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association. General Sir Andrew Russell (president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association), who presided, in welcoming Mr Amery, said that the mission upon which Mr Amery was engaged had the wholehearted support of all patriotic bodies such as those represented in the room. “We know that you youtself, as a South African war veteran, are familiar with the problems that coufrc-t the returned soldiers. We welcome you as one of ourselves,” said Sir Andrew Russell in presenting Mr Amery with a walking sticlc made of native rewarewa wood mounted with greenstone, from the returned soldiers of New Zealand. Captain J. J. Clark (president of the South African War Veterans’ Association) then presented the distinguished visitor with a gold badge, emarking that Mr Amery was the first person outside New Zealand to receive such a distinction. Colonel R. St. J. Beare, on behalf of the Wellington squadron of the of Frontiersmen, next presented Mr Amery with a memento in the form of a greenstone tiki. Colonel G. T. Hill (president of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association) also extended a welcome to- Mr Amery. “ It is a great comradeship which these associations constitute.” declared Mr Amery in responding, ‘'and they mean a great deal to the British Empire. The South African war now seems but a small thing, but it did a great deal to cement the Empire." The Empire was not held together by any constitution, but by many links, one of the strongest of which was the soldiers who had fought shoulder to shoulder in battle. He made a plea for kindly assistance and advice to British' soldier migrants. The war had marked the end ot one great era of Empire. A reception in honour of Mr and Mrs Amery was given at Government House to-night. Had the weather been favourable, Mr Amery was to have paid a visit to_ the Wellington Woollen Company’s mill and the Gear Meat Company’s works, after which he was to have seen the Rail ways Department’s settlements at Lower Hutt, but the trip was abandoned. Mr Amery may, however, visit these places on his return from the south next month.