RETURNED SOLDIERS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXV, Issue 8917, 19 May 1936, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS

annual reunion of jah:! mm

SUCCESSFUL GATHERING ASSOCIATION’S GOOD WORK The increasing popularity of the annual reunions of the Waihi branch of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association was evidenced at the function in St. Joseph’s Hall, Johnston Street, on Saturday evening by the large attendance and particularly the number of visiting representatives of associations from the surrounding districts, the most strongly represented being Tauranga, Katikati and Paeroa.

After reading apologies from the president of the New Zealand association, Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., and the vice-president, Mr B. J. Jacobs, the president, Mr J. Mitchell, extended a cordial welcome to the visitors, making special reference to those who had come from distant parts. It was, he said, very pleasing to be able to stand up and see so many familiar faces and to note a number of fresh ones. These annual gatherings, fraught with feelings of friendship and good comradeship, were not only interesting but of value and importance to the association, and lie hoped to see them continued for many years to come with the same spirit and sentiment that existed today. Referring to the visitors, Mr Mitchell said it was very gratifying to have with them for the first time at a local reunion representatives from the Tauranga branch, which included the president, Mr Bongard, and Major Eustace. It was also very pleasing to see the president of the Katikati branch, Mr G. B. Henry, Mr Poole, and the president of the Paeroa branch, Mr Edwin Edwards, present; indeed if the last-named had not been Avith them he (the speaker) Avould have felt lonely. He would like to mention that a fortnight ago they had spent a very jolly evening at the Katikati reunion gathering. THE TOAST LIST The toast of “Fallen Comrades,” Avhicli embraced all Avho had passed aAvay, Avhether on the field of battle or since, Avas proposed by the chairman, Avho briefly referred to the recent death of that great general, Lord Allenby, under whom, no doubt, there Avere several present that eA Tening Avho had served in Egpyt. The toast Avas honoured Avith all standing, the “Last Post” being sounded by Lieutenant W. N. Verry.

Mr Mitchell then read out a list of the various units, Avith a request for responses, the folloAving being the details, those responding standing to attention:—Ncav Zealand Engineers, 3; NeAV Zealand Artillery, G; Tunnelling Corps, 5; Rifle Service Corps, 3; Maori Pioneers, 1; Auckland Mounted Rifles, 4; Wellington Mounted Rifles, 1; Canterbury, 2; Otago, 1; Auckland Infantry Regiment, 11; Wellington Infantry Regiment, 7; Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 5; Otago Infantry Regiment, 2; NeAV Zealand Rifle Brigade, 14; Dental Corps, 1; British Section of the NeAV Zealand Expeditionary Forces, 1; Royal Navy, 1; Imperial Forces, 8; Australian Forces, 5; Medical Corps. 1; South African Forces, 6. Mr E. EdAv'ards, in proposing the toast of tiie forces in the Great War, paid a high tribute to the English “Tommy.” It seemed to him, said Mr EdAvards that the “Tommy” had the one idea and that Avas to fight for his country and Avliatever he lacked in initiative he made up in courage. Touching on the memorable landing at Gallipoli, the speaker said that that great occasion Avas responsible for bringing together the NeAV Zealanders and Australians in a union and understanding that would never be broken. The toast Avas coupled Avith the names of Dr. A. Jenkins and Mr G. R. Thomson.

STANDING TOGETHER

Dr. Jenkins, in responding, emphasised the part played by indivi duals in the Great War, instancing in particular the late LaAvrence oi Arabia, avlio, he claimed, had Avon a nation to the side of England.

Mr Thomson said that during the war he had travelled a good deal and had served with the Anzacs. When in London he had been entertained to dinner by the Life Guards, a fact he mentioned to show how overseas soldiers generally were made welcome in the Old Country. He stressed the point of returned soldiers standing together, and dwelt on the awful things that would happen to civilisation, as the result of the ad-, vance of science in the direction of destroying life if the nations were again involved in war.

Mr R. Walsh, in proposing the toast of the visiting associations said it was functions such as these annual gatherings that kept the organiation together.

Mr Henry, of Katikati, in responding, congratulated the Waihi branch on its numerical streigtli and its steady progress. It had, he added, afforded him much pleasure to have had the privilege of welcoming at the Katikati reunion so many Waikino and Waihi representatives. Mr Edwards, in expressing thanks for the very fine welcome extended to the visitors, said he had attended the Waihi district reunions for the past 15 years and wished to apologise to the Katikati branch for the failure of Paeroa representatives to attend its recent reunion, the failure being due to the wet weather and the bad condition of the Rahu road, which they would have had to travel over. He would also take the opportunity of extending an invitation to all presept to attend the Paeroa reunion, to be held on Wednesday, ' May 20. " v

TRIBUTES TO BRANCH

M.v Rongard (Tauranga) complimented the Waihi branch on its large membership and said it was very gratifying to note the general increase of members in the various branches of (lie association throughout the Dominion. The work of the association was to put out a helpiig. hand to returned men and that w|s the greatest duty ahead of them. J The Mayor, Mr W. Ml Wallnutt, ]n proposing the toast of the New Zetland Returned Soldiers’ Association, said he wanted to, assure members, that he realised that It was. a gre,«t work that was being carried on the association and its braneliel They were carrying on the work witt, the same enthusiasm and keenness as

they had shown in the Great War. ] He did not think that the public J realised Avhat Avas being done by the sub-associations, and he was surprised at the extent of the Avork and the Amrious efforts directed to the alleviation of distress and the allocation of the funds. He Avas confident that very fine Avork Avas being accomplished, an instance being the distribution of the local Avar fund, which had come to an end just before the Christmas holidays, after affording a great deal of relief. Mr Wallnutt also touched on the services on Anzac Day at Waihi and Waikino Avhen excellent addresses had been given by the president, Mr Mitchell. In the matter of patriotism the little community at Waikino aDvays pulled its Aveiglit in everything it took up.

The chairman, replying, said they had a great organisation and at the same time a great number of “diggers” Avho failed to recognise this fact.

Mr Petersen (Atlienree), paid a high tribute to the Waihi branch and strongly urged that all returned riien should stand together. An excellent vocal and instrumental programme Avas provided, Mr F.' Clarke’s orchestra accompanying and giving items and the following artists contributing: Messrs R. Caundle, W. W. RoAve, R. Taylor (Waihi), R. Judson (Paeroa), and Piper T. McDonald. A successful and most enjoyable evening Avas brought to a close with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”