RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11686, 1 May 1916, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS ENTERTAINED.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 30. Returned Anzacs were last night tendered a dinner by the local branch of the Patriotic Society to commemorate the Gallipoli landing. The Town Hall was decorated and there was a good muster of soldiers. The Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and military chiefs also were present. Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., presided. In proposing the toast of "The Empires Cause" Sir Robert Stout said that Britain's greatness was measured by the manner her colonisation had spread over the world, so that English was spoken in every quarter. She also encouraged nobility of sentiment amongst the people and had made a history of which they had a right to feel proud. That evening they were celebrating ono of the greatest pages of that history. Mr Massey, replying to the toast, congratulated the returned men and hoped they would be able to partake in the final victory and live to enjoy many years of prosperity. It would be well if the pant few days' celebrations proved an incentive to other young men to come forward and serve in the army. There had been some hanging back and there should have been none. Germany evidently was going to make a determined struggle. We must—all our citizens must—exercise grim determination and hang on until it was made impossible for Germany to repeat the performances of the last two years. r ra|c returned soldiers' conference has concluded. It was decided that matter:; should be further discussed by a committee before publicity was" given to the proceedings.