DIGGERS’ CONCERT BROADCAST FROM LOCAL STATION 3ZC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 16

DIGGERS’ CONCERT BROADCAST FROM LOCAL STATION 3ZC.

Owners of radio sets had an opportunity last evening of hearing not only a novel entertainment from Station 3ZC, but also addresses by three members of the executive of the Christchurch Branch of the R.S.A., setting forth reasons why the association should receive the whole-hearted support of the community, and returned soldiers in particular. The station “switched over” to an imaginary estaminet in France, where a typical “diggers’ ” programme was presented. Mr G. A. Hayden, vice-president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, stated in the course of his address to listen-ers-in that during the war 97,335 men and women of New Zealand served overseas, a record of which the Dominion might well be proud- Of this number 16.697 made the supreme sacrifice —or 17 of every 100 who left New Zealand. In addition to these honoured dead, 41,317 men were wounded in action, the proportion being one in every two who returned to the Dominion, The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ ..Association was started almost immediately the first batch of wounded

was returned to the Dominion. Since then the association had been working for the benefit of the returned men, and was the force behind the numerous benefits returned men were now enjoying. The Returned Soldiers’ Association had this year found work 253 men, and had expended approximately £I6OO in relief, which, with the Government subsidy, amounted to £3200. Even then the association had not been able to find work for all returned men needing it. The speaker referred to relief granted from the association’s benevolent fund, and stated that it was the boast of the association that not one penny of its administration expenses had been charged to its benevolent and relief funds. Mr E. Wilcox, secretary of the association, also quoted specific examples of the good work being done by the association. Mr T. L. Drummond, publicity officer for the association, suso spoxe. During the session 44 Diggers* ’* choruses and army games were sent out over the air, and musical and elocutionary numbers were presented by Miss Millicent Jennings apd Messrs J. Laurenson and H. Le Page.