RETURNED MEN MEET

Opunake Times, 20 July 1934, Page 2

RETURNED MEN MEET

ENJOYABLE GATHERING IN ST PATRICK'S HALL

The lighter side of war-time memories was brought/ back to the 60 returned soldiers who gathered in the above hall on Wednesday night, when bright speeches, witty stories and vocal items were enjoyed by all. The president (Dr.. T. N. Watt), in welcoming those present, said they were happy to see such a large gathering on this, the first local re-union of returned soldiers, when the opportunity could be taken of renewing old acquaintanceships and learning from their delegate (Mr A. R. Elgar) of the progress made at the recent conference. It had fallen to his , lot to propose the loyal toast and in asking those present to honour it, he remarked on the loyalty, cheerfulness and courage which was existent whenever returned men met.

"Absent Comrades" was proposed by Mr J. S. Tosland, who requested that the toast be honoured in silence for those comrades who were absent in body but present in spirit. In proposing the toast of "The Army, Navv, and Air Force Mr CO. Edmonds said he felt privileged to be called upon to pro pose the toast of the "Army, ihe Navy, and the Air Force." His only d fh'ci:itj was to do justice to so important a toast in t]ji> short speech. So far as the Army was concerned he did not propose to dilate upon its achievements. These had been acclaimed by the nation again and again. They should all feel a thrill of pride when they realised that in their own humble way, they were ever in a small part responsible lotthe splendid attainments of. the Army in the Great War. They must remember that when war broke out they were up against a formidable and a worthy foe. A nation that had been trained in the art of war from infancy. They were the professional soldier; we were the mere amateur. And had it not been for the courage and resourcefulness, and the determination of every unit of the Army, he ventured to say that we would have lost the war in the first two or three months.

The Navy also played an important part. They not only effected the blockade of Germany, but they permeated throughout the Empire that feeling of security that is of such importance in a time of crisis. Had it not been for the escort of the destroyers, he doubted if the colonies would have been able to send a single troop to the front. Although perhaps the exploits of the Navy were not always "in the limelight" they nevertheless played a constant and a vital part. It was the Navy that protected the seaborne trade of the British Isles; it was the Navy that gave to British diplomacy the power to work effectively for the peace of Europe; and it was the Navy: perhaps more than any other material agency that was binding together the great Dominions of the Crown, and working on to material safety, until the day when they could feel with confidence that they were safe and secure from attack. Mr Edmonds said he wondered if either the Navy or the Army would have the same opportunities in the next war. He thought not. Aviation had made such remarkable progress during the past-few years that it seemed to him the next war would be, to a great extent, won or lost in the air. Unless the great cities of Europe were adequately protected against attack from the air, it would be comparatively easy to bomb them with high explosive, and follow this up with a devastating gas attack. In the next war the bombinc areoplane would be a much deadlier weapovi than most people realised. Of course, they all hoped and prayed that there would be no "next war," but the news that was continually reaching us was anything but reassuring. All the nations of Europe were arming and they all gave the same reason—to protect their frontiers. Germany was said by accredited newspaper men and others to be rearming at an alarming pace; and probably when she admits it she will give the same excuse —to protect her frontiers. Where it would all end he would not presume to say, noi would he pretend to know; but of one thing he was certain vnd it was this—if and whenever they were needed, the Army, the Na?y and the Air Force could be depended upon to answer the call in the same loyal spirit that they did in 1911, and he felt sure that they would give, and give willingly, whatever sacrifice was required of them and so once again lake their part in those glorious achievements that have made the British Empire what she is today.

In responding to this -toast Messrs J. Byars and H. Young spoke highly of the services rendered by these three great organisations, all of which helped England in her far flung battle line to train the victory. After "proposing the toast oi the Returned Soldiers' Association, the secretary of the Opunake branch (Mr A. R. Elgar) gave an outline of the business carried out at the recent conference.

Mr Elgar said that every thing was carefully organised and the many matters brought up were given careful consideration and he felt sure as a result, the

work and welfare of the organisation would benefit greatly.

One thing that all soldiers would be glad to note was the fact that the council unanimously decided to oppose any alteration in the date and observance of Anzac Day and further, that the day be kept sacred. To Help Unemployed.

It was also suggested and carried that the Government be asked that a Natioiial Art Union be held in August in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of New Zealand troops entering the Great War and that 75 per cent of the proceeds be handed to the Association for finding eniploy'inent for returned soldiers throughout New Zealand. This was carried. It was left to the Control Board to make strong representations to the Canteen Funds Board with a view to securing at least £25,000 and to the National War Funds Council for £20,000 for relief 61 distressed unemployed soldiers and their dependents. The Soldier Settler. It was strongly urged that the Lands Department make a reduction in the rates of interest on D.S.S. loans in keeping with the substantial fall in rates of interest which has taken place generally during the past 12 months. That the practice of holding arrears of rent and interest over the heads of soldier settlers is wrong and the time is now ripe for a complete revision of all such arrears with a view to immediate cancellation. That where the value of improvements on the holding warrants it, the Crown at the request of the soldier settler, release bills of sale over the stock so as not to hamper his progress.

Many other things of great interest to the returned men were discussed at the conference, all of which were outlined by ihe delegate. At the conclusion. Mr Toslaud congratulated Mr Elgar on his report which all would agree was very comprehensive and moved a hearty vote of thanks for his services rendered. This was carried by acclamation. "Doctors and Nurses" was proposed by Mr J. S. Hickey, who remarked on the great courage and sacrifice made by men and women in carrying out a duty which was so necessary yet was fraught with great danger. It was a big consolation for those in the line to know ,that in «he event of disablement, 1 attention was waiting, sometimes in the front trenches. He always hacf a, very great respect for the heroic women who were often faced with the ordeal of helping to make the last moments of mutilated 'soldiers bright. In reply, Dr. T. N. Watt thanked those present for honouring the toast and like Mr Hickey he was always full of admiv ation for nurses and the medical staff. When the war broke out they were badlv hit in the stages and realised that no army could face such carnage without a specially organised Medical Corps. This was quickly put in order and very soon they were able to cope with practically every disease and infection which iu some cases was entirely new to scieaice. He was proud to have been a member of such a fine bod.v of men and women.

"The Opunake R.S.A." was proposed by Mr Wriprht who femarked on the splendid progress of the new branch, especially in the way it was assisting in finding employment for members. It was indeed gratifying to see such a splendid body of men gathered together and he hoped the branch would continue to grow. Mr Tosland, in response to the toast, thanked Mr Wright very sincerely for the full and wholehearted manner in which he had proposed it, also for the complementary remarks made. He (Mr TosU.nd) might mention that the returned soldier who was actually the founder of the Opunake branch was not present. It is Mr Tom Bowman. Mr Bowman felt a;:d realised the anomaly of the U'-u-mployment Act inasmuch that as long as a man or his wife had a few pounds in the Savings Blink or elsewhere, he could not participate in any of the schemes. The result was that all new work was done by relief laboiir and these men could not participate; neither could they get work. Mr Bowman felt that if there, existed a local branch of the R.S.A. it could at least protest and point out the injustice of the anomaly and assist its more unfortunate members generally. Feeling the justice of these contentions Mr Tosland called a meeting of ix>cal returned men to discuss the matter. He did not largely advertise the meeting and he also got the free use of the Powei Board's board room. Because he was uncertain of what the response would be he did not desire to incur too much expense which he may have personally have had to meet. However, the time was undoubtedly ripe for the formation of a local branch of the R.S.A. The room could barely contain the number who attended, and it was enthusiastically decided to form a local body as a district unit of the Association. Several more meetings were held and in due time the Opunake branch became a fully fledged and registered institution. The branch is to be congratulated upon its officers particularly its secretary. He ever had its welfare at heart, and has been very instrumental in maintaining it. The president (Dr. T. N, Watt) and other committeemen have all taken their share of any work, so that with suck co-operation all matters have moved with a swing and have been a success. In its activities the local'

branch apart from its social func tions, where old comrades may meet and discuss reminiscences, has concentrated upon doing, its best to assist its less fortunate members in the matter of employment. With the funds at its disposal if any resident of the town or district desires gardeifin<? or other work done they contribute five shillings per day and the U.S.A. subsidises it by five shillings. This scheme has worked very well so far, and the local branch is grateful to the residents and public, both for its co-operation and generosity, which- enables the scheme to operate.

Mr Tosland also touched upon the matter of the War Funds Council. He had been the county representative to the Taranaki committee of that body since. .1919 until the 23th February of this year. During that long perr iod much help and assistance had been given to returned men or their families in distressed circumstances within th© area. As far as the Egmont district v was concerned there had never been cause for complaint. Every request had received due consideration by the executive commit* 4 ** tee at Stratford, and every re- J commendation had received sympathetic consideration with the funds available. The money was never paid direct to the &*«•* but disbursed on their behalf in food, clothing or other necessities. Mr Tosland, without mentioning names instanced various cases, one in particular, where a, returned man who had had his spine injured whilst at the front, and had been iinable to recover a pension when his health broke down because some time had elapsed, was able to go into hospital for treatment knowing that his wife and family were being provided for by the War Funds Council. Other similar cases were instanced. Mr Tosland then mentioned that the sympathetic unionism which existed between himself and Mr Power, the secretary at Stratford, apparently did not exist at Hawera and New Plymouth. Representations were made bv the two branches of the It. S. A/of those places that they have control of the funds available from the War Funds Council, and they would be administered free of a secretary's salary. The matter was referred to the Taranaki committee then existing. That body made a recommendation, "that if the War Funds Council considered the local R.S.A. could as efficiently and more cheaply operate the fund then it had no objection to it so doing." Accordingly, in due course the committee was disbanded and the New Ply«mouth and Hawera branches now considered all applications. Owing to the heavy calls over the last few years and the ever decreas-, ilia" fund, the amount now payable to any one individual case was £5. If any of them knew of any returned man in straitened circumstances owing to his war service he asked them to inform Mr Elgar, who would see that the application went forward to the proper quarter. '

Further, if any present had not yet joined up he asked them to do so, also to bring forward the names of any eligible members. Once more he thanked Mr Wright for his kind remarks and those present for the manner in which they had drank the toast. He trusted it meant and useful life to the Opunake branch. Other toasts honoured were:— "The South African- jM&nsy? ' proposed by Mr T. Quinn aria! responded to by Messrs S. Webb and Cheffings. "The Press*" proposed by Mr W. Laing, and responded to by Mr C. H. Marcroft. "The Entertainers," proposed by Mr Elg-ar. and responded to by Mr A. J. Dawson.

During the evening- songs were rendered by Messrs A. J. Dawson. J. Eobson, J. Hewson, and C. H. Marcroft, and a recitation by Mr J. S. Tosland. and T. Gard" ner. Mr W, D. Bichards officiated at the piano.