DIGGER REUNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19896, 25 March 1939, Page 4

DIGGER REUNION

TE KARAKA FUNCTION HEADQUARTERS PRAISED R.S.A. STILL NEEDED One of the most successful reunions organised by the Waikohu Returned Soldiers' Association was held (last night in the Waikohu Hall, Te Karaka, Mr. S. Smithers, president of the branch, presiding over a large attend ance, which included a party from the Gisborne district executive. The visitors included Colonel R. F. Gambrill, district president, and Messrs. P. W. Bushnell, P. A. Gordon, L. O. East, and W. Oakden. The value of the returned soldiers' organisation in the community, and the services rendered to civilian as well as veterans' interests, was stressed during the evening, and loud applause greeted a statement by the chairman that the work of the association could never be carried out in the same way by any official organisation. The loyal toast and that to fallen comrades opened the reunion, the Rev J. D. G. Hodgson proposing the latter toast. Later in the evening, it was mentioned that Mr. Hodgson had consented to give the Atrzac Day address ;:t the ■ public memorial service on April 25, this announcement giving much satisfaction to members of the Waikohu association, of which he was a member in full standing. Strong Influence in Community The chairman paid a tribute to the national organisation of ex-servicemen, stating that the association had come into being as a strong influence in the community because it was needed, and that the longer it lived the greater its importance became. Membercniy .strength was the life-blood of the association, Mr. Smithers pointed out, and the Waikohu branch was doing its utmost to provide its quota of the national strength. He referred also to the Poppy Day appeal to be made on Friday, April 21, and urged all members to assist ir distributing the poppy blooms throughout the sub-association's area. Replying to the toast of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. P. W. Bushnell congratulated the Waikohu veterans on their continued interest, more as their contributions to the success of ihe organisation were far in 'excess of the material benefits which they secured. It was recognised, he said, that the country areas had comparatively few cases of outstanding hardship, such is had to be dealt with in the towns, and this made the support of country veterans the more creditable. No Unreasonable Demands The value of old associations was emphasised by Mr. Bushnell, who remarked that each Digger had his own particular problems, which the knowledge of others' troubles, and of memories shared, did much to alleviate. The work of the association was not all done in the public eye, and indeed, he felt, the untabulated work was as important as that which the association was able to make public. The real troubles of the Diggers were known best to their comrades, and sometimes only to them; if for no ether reason, the association must bo kept alive and strong. Referring to the .standing of the association with the authorities and with the general public, Mr. Bushnell remarked that no request which the association had made to any, Government in New Zealand had been unreasonable. Those at the head of the organisation did not believe in putting up proposals and adding bargaining margins. What they felt was due to the Diggers, they had no hesitation in asking for; and their judgment had been vindicated 'time and again by the man- ■. nor in which their requests had been treated. Poppy Day Sentiment In respect of the Poppy Day appeal, he pointed out that the financial yield, while extremely important Ito the work of the association, was not its only object. The association hoped that the returns from the sale of poppies would never be allowed to eclipse, in the minds of the Diggers or the public, the sentiment attaching to the wearing of the emblems. The speaker also referred to defence preparations, on which he felt every Digger should have definite convictions; and to various aspects of the work o.f the association in this district, including the working of the hospital agreements, which had been of great 'benefit to veterans stricken in health or afflicted with family illnesses. Mr. T. L. Earnshaw, proposer of the next toast, "Defenders of New Zealand," deplored the lack of interest in defence matters which had become apparent in recent years. He paid a warm compliment to those who were making sacrifices to fit themselves for the defence of the country, and declared that no section of the community was better qualified than >the returned soldiers to appreciate the need for greater activity in this respect. "If we do not make every effort to inform the public Of the need for defence measures, we will fail in our duty to those who laid down their lives .in the Great War," he commented. Lengthy Toast-List The toast was replied to by Colonel Gambrill, who said that it was refreshing to meet the Diggers of the sub-association areas, and to find the old spirit of comradeship so active among them. It that spirit could be communicated to the general public," many of the present-day troubles would have been avoided, lie felt. Colonel Gambrill also referred at some' length to the need for defence preparedness, which he considered to be of the utmost urgency. Other toasts included "Sister SubAssociations," proposed by Mr. B. McCauley and replied to by Mr. W. Oakden; "Honorary Members," proposed by Mr. J. B. Castles and replied to by Mr. Harry Allan; "Nursing Services," proposed by Mr. E. T. Stone and replied to by Mr. F. Hobos; "The Press," proposed by Mr. C. Mills and replied to by Mr. P. A. Gordon; and "Musicians and Helpers," proposed by Mr. F. L. Bellerby and responded to by Mr. L. O. East. Items were given during the evening by an orchestra and several soloists, the entertainers being Messrs. H. Lennane, K. Richmond, L. O. East, H. Allan and the Rev. J. D. G. Hodgson. Community singing was led by Messrs. L. O. (East and T. L. Earnshaw. 1