R.S.A.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 2 July 1928, Page 3

R.S.A.

RE-UNION AT CARTERTON. ’flic re-union of ex-Servicc men hold under the auspices of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association in Carterton on Saturday night, was largely attended. The Prime Minister, the Right lion. J. (!. Coates, M.C., was the guest Jf the evening. Two other members of Cabinet and a number of prominent soldiers were among those present. Dr. M. B. M. Tweed, President of the Wairarapa Association, presided. The gathering was easily the largest one of its kind held in the Wairarapa. Among the visitors present were:—The Prime Minister, the Right lion. J. G. Coates, the Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands), the Hon. K. 6. Williams (Minister of Public Works), Major-General Sir Andrew Russell (President of the New Zealand E.S.A.), Major-General R. Young (General Officer Commanding N.Z. Forces), Colonel H. E. Hart, Lieut. S. Frickleton, Y.C., Capt. Y. Sugden, Captain W. M. Paterson (Canadian Royal Air Force), Messrs G. it. Sykes, M.P., W. B. Martin (Mayor of Martinborough), .J. W. Card (Mayor of Feathcrston), W. Fisher (Mayor of Carterton), A. 11. Herbert (Eketahuna), and D. McGregor (representing the Wairarapa Patriotic Society). The Right Hon. J. G. Coates stated that lie considered it a fine idea to Hold such re-unions periodically, as it offered an opportunity of getting together not only New Zealanders who had served in the war, but also cxsoldiers of other Empire countries as well. He was sure he would not be making any mistake in extending the gathering’s best wishes to the All Blacks in their match in South Africa that day. Me considered it a very important part of any country to turn out good sports and it was a privilege to have representatives overseas in the field of sport. One might even go further, he said, and express hopes that Tom Ileeney would also win in his fight for the world championship. Mr Coates, in conclusion, observed that the country was progressing and its credit stood high. Some people, he suggested, did a good deal too much complaining. He asked to pull together and expresed the opinion that increas-

ed prosperity was coming before the country was much older. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, who proposed the toast of “Sister Dominions,” said that he appreciated very much the honour of being associated with such a gathering. He went on to refer to the great paid playod by other Dominions in the jwar. He said he was of the opinion that if Anzac Day was to be perpetuated for all timo as a day of solemn memory of the sacrifice made by the people of this country and Australia, a fixed day should be set aside, preferably a Sunday. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell stated that the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was going on well and was increasing in strength. The

Wairarapa Association, he said, should see that the Anzac Day ceremonies were well managed, and regarding that day he agreed with Mr McLeod as to fixing Anzac Day either on the Sunday preceding or following the present date. The Returned Soldiers’ Association should also see that Poppy Day was 'well run, and should look after the less fortunate returned men. Sir Andrew then referred to the work of the Dominion Association’s staff in attending to pension appeal cases and interviewing dependents and soldiers, and also to the Canteen Funds, which, he said, had now reached £IBO,OOO. There were cases of returned men, he said, that were very difficult to deal with and the question was raised whether funds would not be wanted in the near future to build a veteran’s home. The board were going into the matter at the present time. He did not think the board would make.a grant for unemployed soldiers as in that case ablebodied men would take away money from those more in need. In conclusion Sir Andrew Russell asked the men to back up the association, and, ho added, “Don’t go back on it.”

The toast list was as follows: —“Parliament” (chairman —Right Hon. J. G. Coates); “Sister Dominions” (lion. A. D. McLeod —Capt. W. M. Paterson); “Dominion Council, N.Z., R.S.A.” (Air W. B. Martin —Major-General Sir Andrew Russell); “N.Z. Army, Navy and Air Force” (Mr J. W. Card —MajorGeneral R. Young); “The Visitors, and Lieut. Frickleton, V.C.” (Colonel H. E. Hart —Lieut. Frickleton, V.C.). At the commencement of the proceedings the memory of fallen comrades was fittingly commemorated. The arrangement for the evening were carried out by the committee of the Wairarapa Returned Soldiers’ Association and the Carterton sub-branch. The joint secretaries were Air A. E. Prentice and Air R. Wakelin. Acceptable items were given during the evening by Alessrs B. Venner, tS. Wilson, T. Vaughan, J. Minehan and R. D; Wilson. Alills’ Orchestra enlivened the proceedings with selections of dance music and popular airs. I \