SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20540, 5 October 1936, Page 13

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

ANNUAL RE-UNION AND MEETING SUCCESSFUL FUNCTIONS The annual re-union and annual meeting of the South Canterbury branch of the South African Veterans’ Association were held on Saturday night, both being exceptionally well attended. The annual meeting was held first, and before the commencement of business the president (Mr F. Chittock) extended a welcome to members, stating that it was pleasing to see so many present. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the president said that the year had been a most successful one. He reviewed the last re-union, and went on to say that the attendance at the Anzac Day parade was 35. Several small grants had been made during the year, and the balance-sheet showed a small credit on the year’s work. The membership now stood at 102, which was very pleasing, and credit was due to the secretary, Comrade Thomson, for the manner In which he had looked after their interests during the year. The president and members visited'Dunedin, Christchurch, Walmate and Temuka, and Oamaru twice, altogether attending seven re-unions during the year, and being well received at them all. The service on the anniversary of the Peace at Vereeneglng was conducted by the Rev. J. Milburn Stewart, whom they thanked. A good muster of comrades was present. It was with regret that he had to Inform members of the passing of their Walmate comrade, R. Sullivan, and also the wives of their esteemed comrades, Bill Mitchell and G. Paterson. Another comrade, Sergeant Hodgson, had also passed away. Their delegate, Mr H. O. Thompson, was present at the annual conference, and they were pleased to report that the alterations to the rules on voting was carried by 24 to 22. This was important as now only delegates could vote, with one vote for the Dominion Executive. Thanks were due to the secretary for the work he had done in this direction. All members had been visited while in hospital. In conclusion the president expressed thanks to his fellow executive officers and members for their loyal cooperation and support during his pleasurable term of office, especially their secretary. Mr E. Laverty paid a tribute to the manner in which the executive had handled the affairs of the Association during the year. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— Patrons, Messrs W. D. Campbell and Walter Baxter; president, Mr H. J. C. Harper; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Mitchell (senior), A. Thoreau, E. Porter, W. H. Hayman, T. Butchers, Captain Clements (Timaru), W. K. Stanllands, C. L. Fraser, A. Freddy, J. McMeekln (Temuka), D. Fraser, S. Malthus, E. McLean (Walmate), T. Hogg, W. H. Cook (Fairlie), P. Hendry, G. Hammond, R. Couling (Geraldine); committee, Messrs R. J. Brown, E. Laverty, W. H. Hayman, C. F. Williams, M. Borton, J. Hobbs, G. Ferguson, W. Kidd and J. Shannon; chairman of committees, Mr E. Porter; secretary, Mr H. C. Thompson; treasurer, Mr A. Thoreau; auditor, Mr J. Shannon. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president. A discussion ensued regarding the funds of the Association, Mr Fraser stating that as a majority of members were now more than 60 years of age, and would probably require a little more assistant 5, he thought the executive might be a little more generous with the assistance granted. The view was expressed that as members were becoming older, and would require more assistance, that there w ? as greater need to exercise care. The president pointed out that the Association had always been as liberal as it possibly could, at the same time exercising every care.

Mr Harper said that the incoming executive had the feeling of the meeting, and would know how to proceed during the coming year. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr and Mrs T. C. Butchers and Mr and Mrs Chittock for hospitality; to Mr Thoreau for the use of his office, and to the Timaru newspapers.

ANNUAL RE-UNION

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION A spirit of comradeship permeated the annual re-union, which was voted one of the most successful functions held for some years. The new president (Mr Harper) presided, and associated with him were the patrons of the Association (Messrs W. D. Campbell and Walter Baxter), the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vlnnell), Rev. J. Milburn Stewart (president of the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association), Mr B. Ellis (president of the Dunedin branch of the South African Veterans’ Association), Mr Beck (president of the Temuka branch of i,he R.S.A.) and Colonel S. D. Mason. After the memory of absent comrades had been honoured, the toast of the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association was proposed by the president, who welcomed the representatives of the As-ociation. He said that they were all more or less veterans now, and it was a great thing that they were pulling so well together. Service was a great thing, and the spirit they were showing was a fine thing. He sincerely trusted that it would continue. Referring briefly to defence, and he said t'iat there were many things which were compulsory to-day, but there was no coinpulsory military training, which there should be. It was a pity to see young men taking such little Interest in their country. No one wanted to see another war, but they were only asking for it by not training their young men to defend the country.

Mr Stewart responded to the toast. He extended congratulations to the ncwly-eleeted president and expressed regret at the absence of "The Three Musketeers.” The speaker said that h had been on the sick list for three weeks, but he was determined that

nothing would stop him from attending the function that night, so much did he enjoy the last re-unlon. Mr Stewart acknowledged the invitation extended to himself, the president of the Temuka branch, and the sick visitor of the local Association. The only regret was that they had not Invited the whole of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Mr Stewart said that there was a wonderful spirit of comradeship or esprit-de-corps existing between the two Associations. The R.S.A. looked to the interests of veterans as much as to their own, and at the last annual conference various matters affecting veterans had been frequently discussed. The world today was very troubled, many of the nations being afraid of each other, while Britain, with her ever-eagle eye, looked on, watching every move. No matter how disparaging some nations spoke of Britain, it was to her that they turned in their darkest hour, and it made them feel proud of have been of service to the greatest Empire in the world. The speaker concluded by extending heartiest greetings from the Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Mr C. Howe, sick visitor for the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers’ Association, expressed his appreciation of the invitation extended to him to be present. He said that he visited the hospital once every week, and whether the men were South African Veterans, Imperial ex-servicemen or returned soldiers, they were all treated alike, and all received their ration of fruit and tobacco. So long as he was the hospital visitor he would treat all the men alike. Civic Authorities Mr E. Laverty proposed the toast of the civic authorities. He said that the word “service” had been used, and who gave greater service than the Mayor and members of the Borough Council. There was probably no man in the town who gave more service to the citizens than the Mayor who, on and off, had worked in the interests of the town for upwards of 20 years. In conclusion, Mr Laverty asked the Mayor to convey to the Council the best thanks of the Association for assistance which had been granted whenever it had been sought.

The Mayor, responding, said that civic representatives were only human, and they had their limitations. What they were doing in public life was just what those present had done 37 years ago, only in a different way. Mr Stewart had struck a good note when he said that the main object of life should be service. It was pleasing to see the veterans and returned men associating in a spirit of comradeship, and he could assure them that the Council would do all In its power to assist the members of both Associations, who had served their country well.

Mr F. Chittock proposed the toast of “The Three Musketeers” (Messrs C. S. Fraser, M. J. Knubley and J. Hole). The speaker said that all regretted the fact that all three of the musketeers were not able to be present, and members sincerely hoped that their three friends would speedily be restored to health and would be able to be present next year. The toast was responded to by Mr C. L. Fraser, a son of one of the Three Musketeers, who said that all three greatly regretted not being able to be present.

At this stage the roll was called by Mr Evans, who turned out to be the only first contlngenter present. Several members of the Imperial and Australian forces answered the roll, while all New Zealand contingents were well represented. Other toasts honoured during the evening were “The Visitors,” proposed by Mr W. D. Campbell and responded to by representatives from Dunedin, Invercargill, Oamaru and Christchurch, and “The Artists.”

During the evening items were contributed by Messrs R. Brown, T. Mayne, E. Porter, T. Porter and H. Woodward (Oamaru).