WORK OF “OLD DIGGERS" ACKNOWLEDGED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 118, 23 May 1946, Page 5

WORK OF “OLD DIGGERS" ACKNOWLEDGED

PREPARED WAY FOR MEN OF WORLD WAR II NEW OFFICE-BEARERS OF R.S.A. “In giving our thanks to Mr. Smith, we of this war also thank those of the last war who have obtained for u.s those privileges and benefits which they did not have when they came back themselves,” declared Mr. N. C. Armstrong, newly elected president of the Wanganui R.S.A., in paying a tribute to the work of his predecessor, Mr C. S. Smith. "I regard my election not so much as a compliment to me, but an indication of the generous nature in which the men of the last war have welcomed we men of the recent watf” Mr. Armstrong went on. "It is also an indication of the spirit or harmony between the two of us, a harmony which I know will continue. "We shall strive to maintain the high order of the association which the old diggers set,” he went on. “Over the comparatively short period I have been on the executive I have witnessed the great interest and work Mr. Smith has given the association,” Mr. Armstrong continued. “There are no words too extravagant to describe the value of his work.’’ “The greatest tribute of all is that during the last two years the membership has increased from 1000 to 2412. Some mav say that the membership would have increased anyhow, but had the association not had so much to offer, that membership would not have been obtained. So far as Wanganui is concerned, a lot of that is due to Mr. Smith. “To our thanks to Mr. Smith we should add those to his wife, Mrs. Smith, both for her work on the A.N.A. committee and also in help to Mr. Smith as our president. “His work has made it difficult for his successor to maintain the high standard, and so it will be difficult for Mrs. Smith’s successor,” he concluded. Mr. Smith is a man of extraordinary [organising ability, "and among his other values is that of knowing who to contact, stated Mr McCrorie. The harmony that existed in the R.S.A. was due much to Mr. Smith’s ability in selecting the right men to do the iobs before them. Mr. McCrorie added. Mrs. Smith was deserving of the thanks of everyone for her work. The amount of work and the time nut in by Mr. Smith has been exceptional, agreed Mr. W. D. Young, who also joined in the tribute to Mrs. Smith. That Mr. Smith would continue to be an ex officio member of the executive was a verv good thing for the association, he added. The tributes extended to him were creatlv appreciated, and he accepted them not only for himself but for all those who helped him, stated Mr. Smith in his reply. He said much was due to the foundation work of the past presidents. “I have been saying for the last two years we have only been waiting for the time to hand over to the me<n of the second war, and we have all faith in their ability to carry on,” he continued. I have enjoyed every bit of my term of office, and, as I will continue as an ex officio member of the executive, I will continue to take an active interest in the association,” he said. “Are we not simply welcoming our own sons, if not in blood, but In spirit?” stated Mr. E. W. Merewether. patron, in referring to the new president’s remarks about the older men carrying on for the younger men to take over. The election of officers resulted:— Patron. Mr. E. W. Mere wet her; president, Mr. C. N. Armstrong; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. W D. Young and H. R. Gilberd; Maori representative. Mr. H. H. Takarangi; South African Veterans representative. Mr. F. U. Booth; hon. [auditor. Mr. L. H Holland: committee, Messrs. R G. Tai boys, W. .T. Forsyth (sitting). H. H Takarangi (Maori representative), F. U. Booth (South African Veterans). S. G. D!nniss. M. B. Hirst, M. G. Wadey and W. R. Bennett.