FORGOTTEN SACRIFICES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17610, 28 October 1931, Page 6

FORGOTTEN SACRIFICES

THE “BURNT-OUT DIGGER” ASSISTANCE OF THE R.S.A. APPEAL FOR COMRADESHIP The urgent need for unity on the part of ex-service men for the protection of their interests and to help in keeping before the public the necessity for assistance in many cases was stressed at the annual reunion of the Gisborne R.S.A. last night. * The Alayor, Air. D. W. Coleman, who proposed the toast to the R.S.A.,' felt that if it was necessary for any body of men to keep an organisation together, it was the returned soldiers. The public was too apt to forget, and much of the work of the soldiers was forgotten. However, it was by gatherings such as that that the sacrifices of the men were kept alive. The size of the local association compared very favorably with those in any other part of New Zealand, taking into consideration the size of the district. If they wished anything done, they must do a great deal of the work themselves, and to do so an organisation was essential. He congratulated the Gisborne R.S.A. on its fine standing and on the grand work it had accomplished. Outside the executive of the association, few people in Gisborne knew what the R.S.A. had done for its members in making the Jot of the men as light as possible. It was only by the backing of the members that the executive would be able to continue the fine work it had already accomplished. “NOT ON THE FIVE 808 SUB.” In reply, the president asked the members to look at what the association had done, and to get right behind the organisation to help it along. The need of tho association was felt now more than ever before. If the spirit displayed at the front was repeated now, there would be no trouble. Alen did things to each other in civil life they would be ashamed of “over there.” It was at gatherings such as this that they felt tho old spirit of comradeship; this should be spread among the rest of the community, especially among the younger generation. If they did this, they need fear nothing; slump or no slump, gold'standard or no gold standard, they must pull through. Their duty, he added, lay to those men who were suffering from the present circumstances, and to stick together to help those who were cracking up to-day. In these days of staff reductions, it was often the old “Diggers” who had to be dismissed, not because they were too old, but because they were burnt out, and it was the war service that had burnt them out. Tho association was endeavoring tq do its best for these men. He knew their visitors, verv good friends of the association, understood the endeavors of the R.S.A. During the year, the association had found 321 jobs for 102 men for 785 days, the total wages paid being ,£513 13s. Through the ■labor bureau, jobs had been found for 63 ex-soldiers over 148 days, four men for 15 weeks, and 34 had been found permanent positions. In addit’on to, tin's, £SO was donated to the general relief depot. £6O 17s for 137 loads of firewood to 75 families, and £144 9s fid in groceries, a total of £262 6s 6d. They might wonder how all this came out of their “live bob subs.,” hut it canny and' that was all that mattered. The outlying associations had helped, and he thanked them and other supporters for their assistance. There were many helpers.

LC-Col. Gambrill added that the membership of the Gisborne R.S.A. last year was greater than that, oi the Wellington association. This had-stung thi 1 Wellington Association, which was determined to recover the honor, lie believed it would, but the local organisation could at least retain its membership at over 900 as it stood last year. "NOTHING WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS” Mr. George Dart on added an .appeal for unity. The executive had done great work, but it: could have done nothing without the friends Jt had behind it. He was pleased to sav that our public men had been liehind the R.S.A. The public men present to-night were invited, not because, they were public men, but because they were "our pals.” lie.paid a tribute to the assistance rendered by tbo Mayor and Messrs Lysnar and Todd, and those on the other bodies in the town. The police had been excellent. The press had,also been exceptionally hind to the association. It was through the assistance of those men that the association had been able to do the work it had. He then proposed the toast to “Our Guests,” who were their very good friends. Mr. A. L. Muir, who responded, said lie and. the other guests counted it .a great privilege to be present and to lie called friends of the returned men. They had endeavored to follow the fortunes of the soldiers during and after the Great War, and were, impressed with the fine spirit thaf existed amongst , returned men, both in adversity and in joy. He thanked God that Iho spirit of comradeship and energy still lived with the R.S.A. it was this spirit that would bring Britain and her Dominions through the present struggle. lie recalled, that after the Napoleonic wars, England had grejit pr.obieius. to face, greater perhaps than those now. Napoleon in his exile had counted England down and out, vet in years England was leading the world; it would do so again.

A SPONTANEOUS TRIBUTE Air. 11. Kcnwiiv endorsed Air. Muir's remarks and added that in L’t.-'Col. Gambriji and Mr. W. Oakden the association had two. .of the finest men is had been his pleasure to know in all his life. ..... . .. This;, rpnmrk was given-spontaneous endorsement. Bjithusiastic applause was followed by the gathering rising to sing heartily “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr. Ken way added that these two men had done splendid work and said nothing about, it. Air. P. Bushmill. proposed the toast to the- sub-utssoeintions, which, he said, had backed up the membership-effort ho well that, the -Gisborne R,$.A. was able to put up such a fine record. The executive had visited most parts of the district, apt cl had succeeded in establishing branches in all centres except Wairpa. He was pleased to see rnemberis of these sub-associatio.ns present., The sub-associations had sent in meat and firewood, and had helped in other ways. s o Air. F. Cook, president of thy W.aikojiu sub-association, said that he was always impressed with one-factor, tlio willingness of people to give to .the Gisborne ITS.A., which appeared to have established itself in the confidence of the public, > Few realised vvluii the executive officers were doing for the benefit of their fellow exsevviceinen. He knew of no more excellent body in New Zealand than the Gisborne 11. S. A. The singing of choruses comprised the main portion of the. programme, Messrs. A. C. .Y. Ilarre and li. Neill taking turns in leading the gathering iu their songs. In addition, Air. A. T. Webb contributed an item, while Ah'- H. Kemvay told a number of humorous stories.