TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3178, 17 May 1932, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU R.S.A.

ANNUAL REUNION. LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDANCE. One of the most successful annual reunions of the Te Awamutu Returned Soldiers' Association was that held at the Oddfellows' Hall last Saturday evening, the president (Mr N. McAlister) presiding over an attendance of well over 100 returned men, including a good representation from Te Kuiti, Cambridge and Hamilton, and one or two overseas guests. Colonel Crozier, of England, was the guest of honour, and with him was Colonel Allen of the Corps of Guides, Indian Army, and both gentlemen were enthusiastically received. Proceedings opened with the usual loyal toast, and then the chairman gave a brief resume of the past year's work, stressing the steps taken by the parent body to impress on the Government the necessity for maintaining disabled soldiers' pensions at as high a figure as possible, consistent with the economic condition of the Dominion. He said that the proposal was to reduce the pensions by £130,000, but in response to representations a " cut" of only £70,000 was made. The R.S.A. is recognised by the Government as only making reasonable requests, and he urged every returned man to join up with the association to make it even more representative. There never was a time, said Mr McAlister, when it was more necessary to be united than now; comrades in distress must be succoured; some of them were in dire need, and it was a duty of those able-bodied men to assist their less fortunate comrades. Referring more particularly to the activities of the local association, the chairman said the Anzac Day parade and service was an excellent one, and creditable alike to the returned men and the town and district. Merbership was lower this year than last year, whereas it should be growing. The branch executive had appointed a member in each outlying district with special instructions to use every endeavour to enrol members—every man should join. He congratulated last year's officers upon their diligence and enthusiasm for the cause, especially mentioning Mr J. Oliphant for his exceptional work over a long term in the interests of returned men. (Applause.) The roll-call was i feature of the evening, and as each returned man present stood up and gave his name, number and regiment, there were bursts of applause from all over the hall. Among the regiments named from overseas who had representatives present were: Irish Fusiliers, Royal Scots Highlanders, Kitchener's Horse, Northumberland Fusiliers, Indian Army Corps of Guides, Royal Air Force, Australian Division, 53rd Royal Scots, and Australian Expeditionary Force, while practically every branch of the New Zealand Forces was represented, besides some veterans of the South African War. Mr A. J. Sinclair proposed the toast, " The R.5.A.," and coupled with it the names of Dr Roberton (Te Awamutu), O. R. Cook (Te Kuiti), and T. Hampshire (Cambridge). All four gentlemen spoke of the need for sticking together as an association, to assist absent comrades less fortunately circumstanced, and regretting that a considerable section of the men who had served overseas had since refrained from assisting with the aims of the R.S.A. The chairman proposed " Absent Comrades," the toast being honoured. Mr Mel. Jones proposed " Our Visitors," and Mr A. Swayne (Cambridge) proposed " Other Branches and the Nursing Sisters," coupled with the name of Colonel Crozier. In doing so he paid a glowing tribute to the Nursing Sisters, referring to them as ministering angels, loved by all. In replying Colonel Crozier mentioned that the R.S.A. must be representative. Successive governments have very dangerous forces to combat, and if they do not have the full weight of the association behind them they are apt to be influenced by forces that are capable of destroying law and order. New Zealand is a beautiful country—too good to be ruled by Communists or other disloyalists. Hard times were being experienced, but he considered harder times would surely come if the loyalists—and he tei-med all returned soldiers loyalists—did not present a united front to ensure good sound government. Unfortunately there were a number of returned men who had experienced very hard times lately, and he urged comrades to assist them in every possible way. They were worth looking after; an interest should be taken in each one. With their weakened morale, through hardship, they present an easy prey to the opposition forces; the influence of the R.S.A. members would hearten them to " stick it" and " carry on." The association could justly bring its influence to bear on employers, some of whom were too apt to forget that the returned soldiers fought to keep their businesses and homes intact. Employers should not forget what they owe to the ex-servicemen. Some were very appreciative, but he was sorry to know that others were absurdly unappreciative. Colonel Allen, proposing the toast " Veterans of the South African War," said he would include in the toast veterans of other campaigns. He had only been a few weeks in New Zealand, but was fully cognisant of the fact that it is a country well worth fighting for. All ex-service-men should stick together. Troubles of unemployment and low prices are not confined to this Dominion; there is a world-wide depression; but New Zealand is better equipped to survive and recover than many other countries. The must work hard, just as the boys did in 1914-18. Jobs are scarce and some of them are unpleasant, but they should be made the most of. By unitv of returned soldiers the danger will be lessened. Constructive criticism of conditions would, no doubt, be appreciated, but he urged his hearers not to offer, or tolerate, destructive criticism, nor to let Russians and others of that ilk to influence them. Among the pleasant and entertaining items were humourous monolog-

ues by Mr Bert Hey, baritone songs by Mr Trembath (Hamilton), stories by Mr A. S. Wallace, a whistling solo bv Mr Bert Hey, recitations by Mr J. Cathro, vocal solos by Mr Doug. Stallard, musical monologues by Mr T. Hampshire (Cambridge), and storiettes by the chairman and secretary V (Mr J. G. Reidpath).