ABLE AND WILLING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21380, 24 June 1939, Page 7

ABLE AND WILLING

Diggers’ Services Report to Conference Returned soldiers had demonstrated that they were able and willing to help defend New Zealand by providing searchlight detachments for the forts, the annual report of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, which was adopted at the annual conference of the association states, and they had also offered to help in any way possible with the defence of the Dominion. Defence was one of the major matters discussed at the conference. “Throughout the past twelve months the unsettled state of the nations in the northern hemisphere has meant that the committee has taken even keener interest in the question of national defence,’’ the report states. “This is in accordance with the N.Z. R.S.A. policy that New Zealand should be possessed of an adequate defence force. “Following upon the decision of the last Dominion council in connection with the securing of personnel to man the searchlights and equipment at Auckland and Wellington, the associations in those cities were within a few weeks able to supply the requisite number. Reports from the officers in charge of these ex-servicemen indicate that they have been most satisfactory in every phase of the work, and the men themselves are also very pleased at having shown their ability to serve again. National Reserve “Having demonstrated that ex-ser-vicemen are able and willing to come forward and accept their share of the responsibility of defending New Zealand, the Chief of the General Staff, in September, wrote the committee intimating that it had been decided to form a National Military Reserve composed of ex-servicemen between the ages of 40 and 50 years. The N.Z. R.S.A. was asked if it was prepared to assist in the formation of this reserve. The committee immediately replied stating its desire to assist in every way and did so. “The committee also circularised all associations outlining the decisions of the last Dominion council and giving details of the activities of various branches in stimulating recruiting and the assistance given to the formation of platoons which increased recruiting in many centres. “Throughout our whole organisation there are ex-servicemen eager to assist in any scheme that will ensure an increase in the man power of our defence forces, particularly the land forces. The committee has placed a plan for the training of ex-servicemen, in the hands of the Minister of Defence and awaits his decision. “This most important subject will be discussed by the Dominion council. Dominion Membership “The financial membership has once more increased,” the report states. “The total at March 31 was 31.549 as against 30,625 last year, and for twelve successive years the association has increased its financial membership. Three new associations, Bulls, Whangaroa, and Kerlkeri, have been affiliated, and there are now 90 affiliated branches. Over 50 per cent, of the associations have exceeded the previous year’s membership and it is noticeable that 30 of the 40 branches with membership between 100 and 300 have shown increases. The membership ladder indicates that Auckland, still at the top, is only 130 ahead of Christchurch, and that Wellington has taken the third place from Dunedin. Wellington, with an increase of 433 members, has earned its promotion.” The report refers in detail to the visit of the New Zealand contingent of returned soldiers to Australia for the sescquicentennial celebrations of New South Wales, and expresses the appreciation of returned soldiers of the opportunity to visit Australian comrades. Australian Visitors “The committee has decided to co-operate with the Soldiers’ Civil Reestablishment League in a stand for selling disabled soldiers’ products at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition,’’ the report continues. “In addition, the committee anticipates that a contingent of about 2000 Australian ex-servicemen will pay a reciprocal visit to New Zealand and will arrive at Wellington on April 24, 1940. It is tentatively proposed that they will attend the dawn parade and the Anzac service, leading the march of ex-ser-vicemen, and thereafter will be distributed in parties throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand, the endeavour being to allow the members of the contingent to see as much of our country as time will permit, and to allow our people and especially our own ‘Diggers’ to see them. The committee cannot stress too strongly the desirability of all exservicemen throughout the Dominion, as well as the members of the general public, co-operating with the various local Returned Soldiers’ Associations and Dominion headquarters in an endeavour to reciprocate, to the best of New Zealand’s ability, the wonderful hospitality extended to the New Zealanders in 1938. “Invitations to attend the Anzac Day

ceremonies have been sent to the grand president of the British Empire Service League, Field-Marshal Lord Milne, G.C.8., G.C.M.G., D. 5.0., and to all 'members' of the British Empire Service League requesting that each should send a small party.” The report also refers to the varied activities of the association during the year, including the amendments affecting war pensions and allowances that were made during the last session of Parliament. The effect of these amendments and of the Social Security provisions on returned soldiers will be discussed during the conference.