OLD SOLDIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 122, 25 May 1936, Page 6

OLD SOLDIERS

GATHERING IN WANGANUI ANNUAL REUNION HELD NECESSITY OF TRAINED MEN MILITARY OFFICERS’ OPINIONS Old soldiers from far and near as* senibled in the Victoria H«»ll on Saturday night to honour the toaM of "Absent Comrades” and to participate in a thoroughly enjoyable reunion, held un-dcr the auspices of the Wanganui Returned Soldiers' Association. Songs, stor.es, musical items and community singing helped to pass a pleasant: evening. Air W. 11. Cannan presided and had associated with him Mr W. J. Rogers (Alayor of Wanganui), Mr J. B. Cotterill, ALP. for Wanganui, Messrs R. G. Taiboys, Hope Gibbons, A. G. Bignell, and Lieutenant-Colonel W. 8, AteCrorie, Officer Commanding the Ist. Battalion of the Wellington, West Coast Regiment. After the Royal toast had been honoured, the president proposed that of “Absent Comrades,” remarking that this was perhaps the most important toast. It was in memory of those who had not returned, and who were honoured on Anza'c Dav and at the dawn 1 parade. The dawn parade this year had been held especially for that purpose, and the Wanganui Returned Soldiers’ Association hoped to repeat it each year. While the company sto'id at attention. Air N. T'vler sang Robert Loui’ Stevenson’s “Requiem,” after which Mr A. Bogle sounded the “Last Post.” The Association’s Activities Air A. G. Bignell proposed the toast of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and paid tributes to the work of this body in Wanganui. Responding, Mr 11. Cannan spoke of the association’s activities and stressed the point that all returned men should do evervthing possible for their own organisation. Each member should act as a recruiting agent. Ho trusted that every man present would appreciate what the executive was accomplishing and give assistance instead of criticism. Mr W. J. Rogers proposed the toa.d. “ Army, Navy, and Air Force,” paying tribute to the work which these force- 1 wore doing in their efforts <o keep the peace under the British flag. The Territori«*il Forces Lieutenant - Colonel McCrorie re* sponded and remarked that lie belonged to that portion of the army known as the territorial forces. Commenting cn world affairs, the speaker .-aid things were certainly a bit touvny in Europe, while hero in New Zealand little was being dune by way of training men for tho territorial forces. Everybody knew where the last war finished. There was an opinion often expressed that where one war finished another would stari. To-day, members of the territorial forces wore endeavouring to teach the young men of the country how to defend themselves. At one time they were given more assistance with this work and he certainly thought that tho time had arrived when further help should be forthcoming. All members of the forces in New Zealand were keen, but were not sufficient in numbers tu enable that intensive training which was necessary for N.C.O.’s pnd officers. Only a small percentage attended the vamps, but this was not the fault of the men. In this direction the cm ployci’s could certainly be of much assistance. The speaker strcssel the point that any man who voluntarily went to camp and submitted to discipline had the makings of a good citizen. “ If war comes we don’t want slaughter,” said Colonel F. K. Turnbull. “We have a duty to perform and we have got to get down to t’m-tacks. I would like to associate myself with the remarks of Colonel AfcCroric, He wants men for the territorial forces and it is up to us as a body of ex-fighting men to assist those people who fare helping not only to make good soldiers but good citizens, also. Every assistanve possible should be given Co’om 1 AfcCorie and his officers who are anxious to got the boys of this country into some outfit where thev will be taught how tn make good soldiers and good Citizens.” Preventing War Mr W, H. Cannan proposed the toa-t of the Patr’otic Association. Those associated with this organisation had done excellent work and were still helping in every wav possible. Mr Hope Gibbons, who responded t<» the toast, remarked that the onlv wav to prevent war was to prepare for it. Ho said thev all realised nhat. a terrible thing the last war had been and how. oven to-dny, it had left its mark on many mon. The patriotic association was called upon to assist many case’ and received about 20 application” evorv month. Mr J. B. CotterilJ, who proposed the toast of the Nurs’ng Division, said it was impossible for him to make any better impression upon them of the wonderful work those women difl during the war. than that which thev had gleaned during their own experience. Ifo sincerely hoped that rhe Nursing Division and everybody t-ise in th : « countrv would never be calle.! upon to experience another war. lie disagree 1 with the opinion that a wav of preventing war was by preparing for it. “Preparations made for v.nr will not prevent it,” said Mr Cottcrill. “The onlv framing necessary is that of training the legislators of this \.-orld along common-sense lines which will he’n tn nrevent conflicts su‘?h n« the Great Wa r. ’ ’ Dining the evening, musical item’ were rendered by Mr ][. Tri"»‘e’l’s orchestra. Alessrs A. J. and R. Healer, M r A. Ph i I ling F. Little, nr,,]- R. How e ”