SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23213, 10 June 1937, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

ANNUAL REUNION OLD COMRADESHIPS RENEWED The annual reunion of the South African Veterans' Association was held last night, when a large number of exservicemen seized the opportunity of renewing acquaintanceships which were formed nearly 40 years ago. The president of the association (Mr A. Duncan) occupied the chair. In his introductory remarks, the president welcomed members and visitors. The question of defence, he said, was one which must interest all ex-service-men, and accordingly it should be welcome news to all that Britain had wakened to the dangers of her position and had embarked on a programme of rearmament. The Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr M. J. Savage) had recently indicated that he was taking a live interest in the problem of defence. There was no doubt that the B resent provisions for defence in the 'ominion were inadequate, but there seemed to be grounds for the hope that the position would soon be remedied. No one who had seen a war wanted to see another, and it was a striking commentary on civilisation that, after 2000 years, the only lasting peace was an armed one. After the memory of "Absent Comrades " had been silently honoured, Mr W. Dobson proposed the toast of "Kindred Associations." paying a tribute to the work of the volunteer officers, to whose training was due in a large measure the success which attended the New Zealand contingents overseas. Replying on behalf of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr C. L. Calvert recalled how, as a lad. he had seen the contingents sail from Port Chalmers in 1899. The memories of the Boer War were to him more vivid than those of the Great War. He remembered how the progress of the war was followed by the school children on the maps. Armistice Day had been a great thrill, but even greater was the feeling of relief when the news of the success at Mafeking came through The whole country seemed to go mad. The South African volunteers had showed that, in these far-flung colonies, there was a real appreciation of the meaning of nationhood They had blazed the trail, which was followed by the contingents who went to the Great War. Replies to the toast were also made by Messrs L. G. Lilly (Imperial Exservicemen's Association), W A. Thomson 'Australian Imperial Forces), J. N. Semple (Legion of Frontiersmen) H. J C. Harper (South Canterbury Association) and J M'Donakl tlnvercargill Association). Other toasts honoured during the evening were:—"The Volunteers," proposed by Mr J. Thorn and responded to by Colonel E. R. Smith, and " Dumb Comrades," proposed by Mr R Black. This latter toast, which was in honour of the horses which served the troops, was accompanied by (he singing of the popular song "Old Faithful." while a pantomime horse gambolled about the stage. During the evening Mr Ben Ellis made a presentation .of a fountain pen to Dr A. R. Falconer, who had for many years boon the secretary of the association. Me paid a warm tribute to Dr Falconer's work. Mc; had. ho said, been really the founder of the association. Acknowledging the compliment. I)i Falconer remarked that the success of the association line! been due not so much to any one of the officials as to the warm spirit of comradeship which had existed from the first. The president also presented to Mr Ellis an ex-president's badge in recognition of his services for many years, and of the work he had done during the six years he had held the office of president. Community singing was indulged in at intervals and songs and reminiscences were contributed by Messrs R. Black. H. .1 Morgan and Watson.