CROWD AT STRATFORD

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 9

CROWD AT STRATFORD

OPEN-AIR GATHERING IMPRESSIVE SERVICE IN PARK. RE-UNION OF EX-SOLDIERS. A memorial service none the less impressive for its simplicity and - brevity was attended by a large crowd at Victoria Park, Stratford. Members of the y Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Stratford platoon of territorials arid the Scout and Girl Guide troops paraded on the recreation ground, led by the Municipal Band and the Stratford Pipe Band. The service was conducted by the Rev. G. O. Hailwood, who was introduced by , the Mayor. Mr. J. W. McMillan. Adjutant Grice of the Stratforcb corps of the Salvation Army read the scripture lesson, and' prayers were led by the Rev. K. J. McFarland. The principal address was given by the Rev. J. McGregor, / Stratford. -■ . ‘ v‘ :

“This is primarily a day of remembrance,” said Mr. McGregor. “I am not here to tell you anything you do not know. This is the twentieth anniversary of a great day, a day of a great sacrifice by our New Zealand men, and it has been made sacred. April 25, 1915, gave New Zealand a place in .the Empire that she nevei- held before.”

“We are to-day of one mind, he said, and it is not a time to introduce controversial subjects. This is not a day for sword-rattling or militarist propaganda. We want peace; we need peace. Let us, therefore, follow the way that ;.i leads to peace.” The hymns were ; accompanied by the . municipal band, which also played a selection, “Lead Kindly Light.” » REUNION GATHERING. ;; 7'A happy gathering was held at the / parish hall at the conclusion of the service at the park, when ex-servicemen and . their wives were entertained at lunch by the Stratford branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. The three long tables provided were crowded. Indications are that it will become an annual affair, and plans are already under discussion for decided expansion >•. of the gathering next year. 7’The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillarf) presided, and proposed the' toast of “The ■ King,” followed by “Absent Comrades,” ’' , those present standing in silence. He -/ v then introduced Mrs. M. G. Trotter,..Si president of the Stratford branch of the yc W.D.F.U., who said that the suggestion ■■ for the luncheon had come from a mem- . ■) ber of the Toko branch. The gather;- >‘.i ing had been organised by the Stratford branch, and sterling help had been given ; S by all the country branches. It had i: .y been decided only a week previously ='j. and the intervention of the holidays had made things difficult; but by correspond- ' ence and telephone everybody concerned had been approached, and hard work -'i by the officers of .the country branches >? had .resulted in an abundant.-supply of eatables and the services of a good band . 7-7 of willing workers. The creed of the division contained the words, “In the .■..... great things of life we are one,” and she felt that the day’s gathering in honour « of the ex-servicemen was one of the ■ ■ 7 great things in life. ■ Mr. T. T. Murray, president of ■the Stratford branch of the Fanners’ Union, ;; proposed the toast of the Womens Div- ;s--ision, referring to the good work, the division did in a number of directions. . A LEADING PRINCIPLE. ,;f

Mrs. W. J. Polson ' responded, saying,.. that service of all sorts , was a leading principle of the division, and that days gathering had naturally come » » > day’s work. The division was only doling its job. Mr W. J. Polson, M.P., proposed The Returned Soldiers’ Association.” He voiced the lasting gratitude of the coun- , try to the ex-servicemen. He impresses! on returned men that it was vital to their welfare that their association should he kept up as a strong working force. . >;i Responding, Colonel L. -H. Jardine,>7/ president of the Stratford branch of the .. R.S.A., thanked the division for its fine ...< work The tum-out of ex-servicemen ■; . that day bad been very gratifying to the Returned Soldiers’ Association wmnuttee and must be gratifying also to the puhje generally. The R.S.A.was grated to &e division for giving servicemen the opportunity to hold a reunion. Major M. half of servicemen other than those of the Great War, said the country owed a . , definite debt to those men who had volunteered for the S ?. uth , They set an example, but for which, the speaker thought, the response mgM /<! not have been as splendid as it was when the cafl for the Great War came. day’s gathering provided southing which >had been lacking at Stratford m the

P The Mayor .proposed the toast of ffiwe who had helped with the work.of ating the roll of honour, which was of his duties, but which was taken off his hands by the ladies of the commun- « 'ity Special thanks were due to the = d pupils of S. Mary’s school and the pnmary 5 school, and to the very large num- | bers of citizens who supplied- the flowers. If the luncheon became ,an nual affair the division could rely on financial help from the borough council. .j if required. ■ , A vote of thankk was accorded Rogers' orchestra, which played a number of items during the luncheon.