RETURNED SOLDIERS

Southland Times, Issue 20497, 28 May 1928, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS

EDENDALE SUB-ASSOCIATION. ENTHUSIASTIC RE UNION. LINKED UP WITH INVERCARGILL. The Edendale Returned Soldiers’ SubAssociation held a very enjoyable and enthusiastic re-union social in the public hall on Saturday evening, when close on 100 returned men were present. After the loyal toast had been honoured, the chairman (Mr H. S. Raines) thanked those present for their attendance, particularly the parties who had travelled from Invercargill, Gore, Mataura and Wyndham. He said: “The Returned Soldiers’ Association was formed to assist in the repatriation of returned men in civil life, and to see that all those who suffered injury or ill-health through active service were given justice. It is a well-known fact that many disabled men who are in receipt of pensions to-day would never have received them had there*been no body to fight their cases. For a period the membership of the various associations showed a decrease, but now renewed interest is being shown and the

various associations are again coming into their own. Quite a number of men were discharged Class A, but as time goes on owing to the hardships and sufferings, numerous cases come under notice where these men are breaking up in health, directly due no doubt to their war services, and in cases such as these the association does incalcuable good. It behoves every returned man to join the association, as only by united effort can we do the greatest good. Now that Invercargill has re-organized and amended the constitution allowing a rebate of 4/- per member for country members, at our annual meeting we decided to join up again with Invercargill. I trust that the decision will be to our mutual benefit.”

The toast of the “Army, Navy and Mercantile Marine” was ably handled by Mr J. Lamont, who touched on the. activities the various units played in the Great War. In responding, Col. J. A. Cushen said that as a Territorial Officer he was interested in the territorials—our future army. In this direction the Returned Soldiers’ Association could do a lot of good by fostering the right spirit in the boys, as a little encouragement went a long way. The chairman briefly proposed the toast of the “Returned Soldier’s Association,” and spoke on similar lines to his opening remarks. ,X

Mr F. G. Hall-Jones said in response that he was pleased to be present at such a representative gathering of returned men, not only on his own account but also on behalf of the Invercargill members. The

time had now come when renewed interest must be shown in association matters, he said. Last year, General Russell had visited Invercargill and had had a very straight talk with the Diggers. It was more than ever necessary that they should keep going, and to this purpose members must concentrate more on the social element. “We are very pleased that Edendale has decided to join up with Invercargill as we need you,” he said. “We are at present rather a weak body, but we are improving, and I hope in a few years we will be one of the strongest associations in New Zealand.” Mr Quinn, who also replied, said that: “In drinking the health of the Returned Soldiers’ Association we should each be drinking our own health, because if any one present is not he should certainly be a member of the Returned Soldiers’ Association.” Associations throughout New Zealand had had a lean time, but now they were coming into their own again. This was the first year since inauguration that the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association had shown an increase. Other toastsy honoured w*ere: —“Sisters and Nurses (Mr McCall —Mr Mcßae) ; “A. and P. Interests,” (Mr G. Dempster—Mr J. N. Preston) ; “Sub-Associations,” (Mr T. F. Quinn—Major Rice); “South African Veterans,” (Mr T. Hickey—Mr J. Cushine). Musical items were contributed by Messrs Gilchrist and Archibald.