A POPULAR SECRETARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3711, 28 April 1925, Page 14

A POPULAR SECRETARY

MR A. C. LAIXG HONOURED. ENTHUSIASTIC RETURNED SOLDIERS, At the conclusion of the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association on Wednesday, a social and presentation was tendered to Mr A. C. Laiug, who had capably filled the position of secretary since May, 1921, and who recently resigned in order to take up other activities. Mr P. S. Anderson (the president) occupied the chair. There was a large and eninusi* astic attendance of members. Mr J. M'Crae (immediate past president) said that ho had been entrusted by the Social Commitee with a very pleasing duty, and perhaps he had been entrusted with that duty as he had known and worked with Mr Laing longer than any other member of the executive. Mr Laing had done more in building up the association than all the rest of the members together. He had numerous fino qualities, and his organising ability was marvellous. Mr Laing was always on the move to achieve something for the benefit of the returned men. The position of secretary was one that required a very great deal of tact, a quality witli which Mr Laiug wafl fully endowed. His dealings, not only with the association executive and staff, but also with Government officials and mem Lera of the various public bxlies, had shown hia capability in that direction. It was only the excutive, perhaps, which knew the very valuable work Mr Laing had done in connection with obtaining pensions for worthy cases. Many men, and women, too, who were receiving pensions to-day had Mr Laing to thank. In conclusion, Mr M'Crae said that in wishing Mr Laing every success in his new Bphere the executive and members of tbe association had great pleasure in handing him a gold watch and fob, and they all hoped that he would live long to wear it.—Applause.) Mr E. R. Grace, secretary of the Otago Patriotic and Welfare Association, also paid a tribute to the work of Mr Laing in regard to securing pensions. Advice had been received this week that after several years' efforts Mr Laing had been able to secure a pension for a most deserving case. Mr Laing's guccess in this direction was due to the fact that the various societies always knew that any cases which he reoommended for their approval were deserving cases. The present position of the association waa largely due to the support which Mr Laing had given his executive.—(Applause.) Mr R. S. Galbraith (Commissioner of Crown Lands) said that Mr Laing had been very closely in touch with the Lands partment, and he had always been most courteous and obliging in his relations with the department. Mr E. Kerr, on behalf of the R.S.A. orchestra, presented Mr Laing with a silvermounted walking-stick. Mr P. S. Anderson, in proposing the toast of Mr Laing, said that as a man they all appreciated Mr Laing’s sterling qualities. Ho believed that a cheery "good day” cost nothing.—(Laughter and applause.) Mr Laing was not only a fine administrator, but ho bad mastered the bass violin and the saxophone, which showed the keen interest ho took in the social activities of the club. In Mr Laing they had a very estimable gentleman, and one who was always * gentleman.—The toast was enthusiastically drunk with musical honours. Mr Laing, who was received with applause, said that he could sincerely Bay that it was difficult to find suitable words to express adequately his thanks. During his terms as secretary the work had been nothing but a pleasure to him. The fact that certain things had been accomplished was due to the association, and not to the fact that lie happened to be secretary. Any other man could have achieved the same results.—(Cries of "Question.”) His con* nection with the association had been moat pleasant, and he had received the utmost assistance from everyone with whom he had come into contact. There was still a xarge number of patriotic people in Dunedin, who, in spite of the fact tbav most of the public considered that the returned soldiers wero now forgotten, assisted the association because it was out to assist the returned soldiers. Continuing, Mr Laing said that the Otago Patriotic Association, the Lands Department, and the Public Works Department had treated the association very well, aa frhey recognised and app related its work in tne interests of the returned men. In conclusion. Mr Laing repeated his thanks, and expressed his appreciation of the personnel of the various executives which had been in existence during his term as secretary, —(Applause.) Mr E. J. Anderson, in extending a hearty welcome to Mr J. M. White (the new secretary), said that he had been selected from 38 applications from men of high standing, and although he had been in office for about two months only, ho was proving a worthy successor to Mr Lajng.—(Applause.) Tho present executive was the finest the association had ever had.—(Applause.) Mr White’s health was then drunk with musical honours. During tho evening enjoyable items were given by the R.S.A. Orchestra, which proved itself to be a fine combination of instrumentalists. The vocal soloists, Messrs W, Satterthwaite and D. Forsyth, were also accorded very hearty applause. The proceedings concluded, as they had commenced, with the singing of the National Anthem.