RETURNED TROOPERS

Southland Times, Issue 17584, 20 November 1915, Page 6

RETURNED TROOPERS

WELCOME AT RYAL BUSH. INTERESTING RECRUITING SPEECHES. The Ryal Bush Hall was filled in every part last evening when a welcome home was tendered to Private John Lake, who has been invalided home from Gallipoli. Two other returned soldiers in the person of Privates McKenzie, and Ridder, of. Lochiel, were also present on the platform. Mr W. Scott, who presided, in his introductory remarks, said that ho was very pleased to sec so many people present to welcome home their friend, John Luke. Their guest had already received a welcome at Tussock Creek; but the residents of Ryal Bush thought that they hud a right to welcome him also. He. was one of the first to volunteer from the district, and he had left in such a hurry that they had no time to give him a send-off. For that reason they had refrained from giving succeeding volunteers from the district a send-off, but they would do their best to give them a fitting welcome on their return. He also extended a very hearty welcome to Privates McKenzie and Ridder. >

Mr W. E. Taylor, who had been invited to deliver an address, said that lie was pleased to be present to assist to do honour to the returned soldiers. The very least people could do was to turn up in large numbers at such functions in order that the men who had fought so gallantly might be given a fitting welcome. The nation throughout its present period of tribulation required all the active and moral support that it was possible to give it, and every section of the community must stand shoulder to shoulder until an honourable peace had been arrived at. The British naiton was fighting an honest war, fighting to preserve the neutrality of smaller nations and in the interests of humanity. He had been one of those who at one time believed that sufficient men would come forward voluntarily, but now he was of opinion that the young men were not coming forward as they ought to he. This was the cause of many valuable lives being lost unnecessarily. It was not a time for insult or opprobrium to bo levied at the men who had so far not volunteered. That was a question for a man to decide himsolf, hut it surely was not necessary to have to point out at that juncture what, for instance, Belgium and Poland had suffered in order to cause a’\man to realise his responsibilities. On the one hand they had to consider the men who wore offering their lives, and on the other hand the men who had wealth. No Government, to his mind, could adequately repay the New Zealand boys for what they had done, or reward the dependents of those who bad fallen adequately. The rich men of the Empire and of New Zealand must put in their money; it was their duty to in that way assist the Empire. If they would do that, it would bo he finest and best way to induce men to go to the front. They must give the man who volunteered an assurance that if he came back disabled he would be looked after, or that those who had been dependent on him would be looked after. If that were made absolutely certain, then there would be no need for holding recruiting meetings. Mr Taylor paid an eloquent tribute to the deeds done by the New Zealanders in Gallipoli, and quoted verbatim Sir lan Hamilton's eulogium regarding them. The New Zealanders had not only emulated, but they had even surpassed the historical deeds which had made the Empire what it was at the present day, and it should lie seen to that, if they returned disabled, they should know no want in the years lo come. The war was going to lie a hard one, and the survival of the fittest would ho the deciding factor. Not all the prayers that could be offered up in churches was going to win the war; hut all the available men and all the available wealth were required. But if the British Empire went under in the present great struggle, then Christianity would receive a blow from which it would never recover. He hoped that the precious blood which had been spent would not be lost to the Empire, afid he hoped that when the war was over there would be a readjustment and that men possessing wealth would not receive more respect than the toiler who did service to the State. The man possessing wealth was not necessarily the backhone of a country; but it was the man •who created wealth. 1 f a nation lost such men, then there was nothing to keep the Empire from passing away. Accordingly, it was the duty of everyone by every possible means in his or her power to hell* in bringing the war to a successful issue. The war. he felt sure, was not going to end for very many months, and lie now thought that the sooner conscripl ion was brought in the sooner the tear would end. They must have the raising of men placed on a. truly democratic basis. Ho earnestly hoped that the, next occasion on which lie would speak at Kyal Bush would be after ihe return of their hoys finally from the front, and on an occasion that Would he ushering in a glorious and lasting peace. < Prolonged applause.)

Mr Walter Ttlakie i<l that it, nave him rbe greatest jileasuro to be there that, evening, ami in extending a we!eome to the lads who had returned from the front. Iti.s feel flips, however, were tinned with a certain degree of sadness on aeeonnt of their being in ihe ineiintimo inc:a]iacdlaled, Mach of them had expressed himself ns being prepared to return to the front again as soon as his health was restored, liis fervent prayer was: God bless them, and may the time come soon when they would finally return safe and sound. Mr. P. Shroeclrr said that he felt it indeed a great honour to he allowed to say a few words, and he felt that when (lie time came In; would be glad to otter his services and take his stand alongside of them. (Applause.) It was the duty of every man who was able to do so to offer his services to the nation, lie had no sympathy with the German nation except for the people who wore subject to the militarist leaders of that country who were endeavouring to rule the world. lie hoped that when their three guests went hack to the front they would do their duty as nobly as thev had done in the past. Mi’ IT. Blakie said that lie felt il an honour to he permitted to lake part in the welcome that night. He hoped that the luck tha had been wiih them so far would follow them until th.c end of the war.

Mr Gilmour said iliat he wished there were other young men showing the same amount of pluck as their guests. It was men only who could win the light; lint it was only fair that others should take Hdr share before their guests had to return to Ihe tiring line. I'.veryone should do his share in order to keep the Hag Hying. Mr T. I lodgkinson said that be was very proud of their three returned soldiers, anil he wished that there were more like them. Mr A. Paddon said that there was one thing the previous speakers had overlooked, and that was that Private Hake's father had fought under Horn Kitchener in the Soudan, having been attached to the West Kent eOtb Itilies, and he thought that Mr Hake, senior, judging by his appearance could sliit shoulder a rifle. (Houd applausei. The whole of the district hud a peronal interest in the men whom they were honouring that night, but they had a feeling of sadness when they thought of the men who would never come hack. They bad read of many disquieting things that were happening in the Old Country, but the duty of the, people in this dominion was to see that the boys at the front did not lack for reinforcements. Conscription must come, as the voluntary business was not fair. He knew of one man in the district whose two sons had gone to the front, hut there were other people who bad sons and who were doing nothing. Not only that, hut they sneered at the brave fellows who had gone to the front. He had a sou who wanted to go, and no doubt he would eventually go; bat why should ills son go forward when there were sons of wealthy people who had no intention of going. He was very pleased that the New Zealanders and the Australians had proved themselves to he the pwlt of the world, and that not one of them had flinched. Mr P. King also spoke. THE SOI, I.) IKI ’.S’ I HOP Id I IS. Private Hake, in acknowledging the tributes that had been paid to his comrades and himself, said that he was very proud to lie back, and to see so many of his old friends again. As soon as he was again restored to health, he would return and endeavour to do his little bit in the trenches. He thanked them sincerely for the kind words that had been spoken. Private McKenzie also thanked those, present for their welcome which he appreciated heartily. He also was prepared to return to the front again. Private JRidder endorsed his comrades appreciation of the welcome which had

been given them. He was quite willing to go back to the front, and, provided * the medical officers would pass him, h© would leave as a non-com. with the 12th. Reinforcements. THE CONCERT. Prior to the delivery of the speeches a capital concert programme was gone through. Included amongst those who took part in it was a contingent from Invercargill, 'consisting of Messrs E. W. Wright, R. Edwards, and H. Catton, whoso efforts were greatly appreciated, Mr Wright especially coming in for special acclainatory laudation. Mr Edwards, besides contributing two songs, accompanied .several . singers, and contributed two pianoforte selections most pleasingly. Songs were rendered by Miss I>, King, Miss ,1. J Blakie, Miss Shrocder, Mrs Burden, Miss Pert, Mr K. Shroeder, and Mr H. Wishart, and recitations were given by little Miss Isabel Burden (a very pleasing item), ■and Mr 11. Biakie. Supper was handed round by th* ladies, and thereafter dancing was indulged in until an early hour. The proceedings, which were most enthusiastic throughout, were brought to a fitting conclusion by the singing of ‘‘Auld Lang Syne,’’ and a verse of the National Anthem.

Prior to the town party taking its departure, the chairman thanked Mr Taylor and those who accompanied him for flie valuable assistance they had rendered, and on his iniative a hearty vote of thanks was also accorded tha others who had assisted to make th* function the undoubted success it was.