DIGGERS FOREGATHER

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1931, Page 9

DIGGERS FOREGATHER

SPIRIT OF ARMY MAINTAINED. RE-UNION AT URENUI. Lieut.-Colonel G. Bertrand presided over the annual re-union of the Urenui branch of the R.S.A. held last night. About 70 were present, including Captain Hartnell, president of the New Plymouth Association, Captain Mac Diarmid, Father Minogue, Mr. A. H. Halcombe, Major Conway and many others. Apologies were received from Colonel C. H." Weston, Messrs. E. J. Carr, C. H. Croker, E. JBlundell, G. Salway, Andrews, Define, and Sergeant-Major Bell. Proposing the toast of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Captain A. M. MacDiarniid said -the army and the nation owed an enormous debt to the Navy. In the Great War it was the Navy that convoyed troops, protected food supplies and made it possible for the Army to do its work. It wag rather ead to those who remembered the great work of the British Navy to see how it had been depleted of late. They could only hope that &aner councils would prevail ana there would be no further reductions made by the Government. The Army also did its job in the war. It was not like the Navy, a silent service, but its protests did sometimes g'et thing’s done. He would like to add to the toast that of the volunteer force.. It was debatable whether the territorial or a volunteer force was better, but it was good to. know that the traditions of the old regiments would be carried on by the volunteers. The Air Force was the youngest but the most spectacular of the forces. Its 'progress had been* marvellous and it whs commendable to see the growth of civil aviation in the Dominion. In the next war aviation would undoubtedly be one of the'decisive factors. Replying for the Navy, Mr. F. Baird said that as. an ex-artilleryman he could appreciate the work of the Navy. The New Zealand troops were splendid fighters but would'have been helpless but for the Navy. / IS ARMY DEPLETED TOO FAR? Major Conway; in responding for the Army, said such gatherings were worth while. It was good to bring back memories of Army days with their good and bad times. The British Army was a wonderful fighting machine of which every unit was proud. Since the war the reductions in the. Army/had made those who had the welfare of the Empire at heart fear it had been depleted too far for safety. Though unrest in the world was greater than in 1914, the British wag the only nation that, in accordance with promises made to the League of Nations, had reduced its fighting forces. This meant that the smaller the Army ithe more efficient it must be. As regards the Dominion forces, the Territorial Army was to be retained only enlistment was to be on a voluntary basis. In this regard the Urenui district was considered important in organising mounted troops. Last year they Sad sent to camp the beet troop of the regiment and he hoped this, would continue. , The progress of the Air Force had been the most rapid of all the forces, said Captain Hunt. Though the British might not be first .in numbers of machines, they were on top for quality of material and for bravery and resource among the pilots. New Zealand cadets sent to the Cranwell • training school for airmen in Great Britain had done wonderfully well, arid for- initiative and pluck were as good as any in the world. . .. It was necessary,. said Father Minogue, in proposing the torist of Absent Comrades, to do more than merely remember with esteem the happy days spent with absent comrades and their bravery and cheerfulness. All present were still on the march, sometimes a very hard , and difficult march. Instead of complaining or fault-finding, being selfish or cowardly, we should be cheerful and happy, ready to help the mini who is down and out. The memory or absent comrades should be an example to all to live a good and noble life so that when the march is over our absent comrades would be as proud of us as we of, them. FINEST FEATURES OF WAR. The toast of the Urenui R.S.A. was proposed by Captain F. Hartnell. Such gatherings, he said, kept up one of the finest features of the war, the spirit of comradeship. Had the feeling existing among returned men in the Urenui district applied throughout the Dominion they would have by this time have rehabilitated all the ex-servicemen in the country. As men got older they appreciated comradeship the more, and he thanked the Urenui men for the welcome they had given diggers from other districts. Replying to the toast, Mr. G. Loveridge, president of the Urenui R.S.A., said the branch was glad to welcome comrades from other districts. They were very glad to W’ork with the association in New Plymouth, especially as its president was Captain Hartnell. They found the New Plymouth Association always willing to help them in any troubles. Other Units was a a toast proposed by Captain F. S. Varnham. In the Army as well as in civil life men were dependent upon each other and each unit did its share in the last war. Though the League of Nations was doing great work, many would agree with Sir James Parr, who had been at Geneva several times, that the Briton who relied entirely upon the League for safety was foolish" He urged everyone to give Colonel Burgess, his. staff, the territorial officers and all connected with the work all the assistance in their power to make the volunteer force a success. Captain G. E. dago responded. Other toasts honoured were: The Caterer and the Ladies (Mr. A. H. Halcomb**—Mr. F- Healey); The Enteitainers (Mr. J. Fitzgerald); The Chairman (Mr.' F. Baird); and The Press. Songs were contributed by Messrs. F. Baird, C. Blake, F. Cornwall, F. Healey, D. Langley, C. Lowe and J. McKierney. Community singing was led by Mr, D.

Des Forges,' recitations were given by Mr. J. Joll, and Mr. C. Ferry gave a display of ventriloquism. The arrangements for the function were in the hands of the executive of the association, Messrs. G. Loveridge (president), R. Johnson (vice-president), J. Fitzgerald, A. C. Smith, .1. Johnson, D. Tate, R. Brama Id. 1). Butt. F. D. Des Forges, E. K. Blundell and W. Scott (secretary). Excellent catering was arranged by Mrs. F. J. Healey arid a committee of which the members were Mesdames Rattenbury, O’Biordan. G. Loveridge, Julian, Benny. Godfrey, Dempster, P. Healey and G. Salway. who were also responsible for the hall and table decorations.