RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18025, 21 May 1930, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING ALL EX-SERVICEMEN SHOULD JOIN GENERAL RICHARDSON’S ADVICE. There was an enthusiastic, gathering of ex-servicemen at the annual social of the Waikato branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association at the Winter Show Hall last night. The president of the branch, Mr R. F. Ward, presided. Amongst the visitors were General Sir George Richardson and Mr J.'-A. Young, M.P. The attendance numbered over 100. The programme consisted of a long list of musical and elocutionary items, toasts, a roll call, “yarn swopping,'! and community singing^ Mr G. S. Clark, in proposing the first toast, of “departed comrades,” said the fame of the men who had gone was writ deep in the heart of the Empire, and their memory would outlast the monuments in stone erected to them and the medals that had been struck to commemorate their deeds. In proposing the toast of General Richardson, Mr. J. Blackhall said “To-night, gentlemen, we have with us a most distinguished visitor, in theperson of Sir George Richardson. We all of us are aware of the notable military career possessed by Sir George, and of the reputation he earned as one of the greatest administrators in the late war. The New Zealand Expeditionary Force, although I personally did not belong to it—(laughter)—w r as regarded by the military generally as one of the most complete fighting forces in the British Army, and when I say British Army the implication is that the New’ Zealand Force was one of the bestequipped and finest fighting units in the world- (Applause.) In saying this I am not unconscious of the fact that in the New Zealand Force there w'as a large percentage of Scottishborn, and men of Scottish descent. (Laughter.) While I am not aware altogether of the lineage of Sir George, I would be much surprised to learn, having made his mark in the world, that he has not at least some Highland blood in his veins (Laughter.) But, as'we are taught in our elementary training that an unorganised army is merely a rabble (and I take it this applies as much to Scotch as to any other troops), it -is to the organised head, to the high command, that credit must be given for ultimate success of any feats of arms. Importance of Proper Organisation. The raw material of any army may be good, but without proper organisation in the numerous departments of the force, it is doubtful if that army could win through to victory. I do not intend to enumerate, or even pretend to know, the multifarious duties which fall upon the shoulders of the high command, but I do know this, that unless the man at the head is a block of granite, with no soul within him, the responsibility of the lives of thousands of men must give his conscience no rest if he lets up on his job or hesitaUis in his duty. That the New Zealand Expeditionary Force came through the trial of death and destruction with such great laurels as it did, is proof in no small measure of the success of its organisation. (Applause.) For this organisation thanks are due to General Sir George Richardson. (Hear, hear.) In General Richardson I might say we have a soldier whose rise to . fame was not due to influence. He is a soldier as we all like to know one—a comrade, who knows w'hat it is to foot-slog as a private, and whose advancement was w r on on merit. While recognising the necessity for discipline, he realised that the average soldier was a human being, and he has ahvays treated him accordingly. I need not speak of the great sympathy Sir George has always shown to the returned soldiers of this country, and of the very useful help he has given our organisation on every possible occasion. As Administrator of Samoa he accomplished a great deal for the social welfare of the Samoans, and though certain agitators decried his government there, subsequent events, I think, have proved that the trouble w 7 as largely tiie result of the curtailment of certain financial interests. But, gentlemen, a discussion of this matter is outside the scope of my duty this evening, which is to extend, on behalf of the Waikato R.S.A., a hearty welcome to a great soldier. (Applause.) General Richardson, I hope you will accept this welcome as coming from the hearts of men who have served under you and who appreciate your worth.” (Applause.) Britain’s Great Effort. In reply, Sir George Richardson said he had noticed during the rollcall that there were present seven South African veterans and fifteen former members of Imperial units! (Applause.) He was glad to see them, for their presence indicated a spirit w'hicli should be. fostered. Referring to the work of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the speaker said he was proud to speak of the men who had composed it. While undoubtedly they did splendid work, however, the part they played was actually insignificant when compared j with that of the Imperial Forces. New | Zealand bore the greatest burden of the j Overseas Dominions, giving one man [ in every 11 of its population to the! army. In the Old Country, however, j the quota w’as one in every five, j Those of the New Zealanders who had j visited England would, to some ex- j tent, realise the great effort which | Britain had made. Not merely the men, but the womanhood and girlhood of Britain had all got down to the colossal task. When, therefore, ,we eulogised the work of the New Zealand Forces we should never forget; that the Mother Country had borne | the greatest share of the Empire’s■ burden during the war. (Applause.) j Referring to the complimentary re- | marks to himself, Sir George said that j credit for any organisation was due to no one man, but to every member j of the organisation. Lord Roberts \ had foreseen the coming of the late j war, and the result of his campaign ! throughout Britain was that Lord; Kitchener, General Godley and the j speaker, in a minor capacity, were sent out to New Zealand to reorganise the defence system here. It was the development of that system that enabled New Zealand to ‘prepare her forces so rapidly when the time came. The reason for the efficiency of the New Zealand troops overseas was, however, the fact that the force had splendid officers, who mostly were I men who had risen from the ranks, j who had carried their packs, . and j who knew the difficulties the rank and ! file had to contend with. (Applause.) j Faith In Youth of New Zealand. The speaker expressed great faith in the youth of New Zealand. New

Zealand youth had made a name in the war, in international sport, and in many walks of life In different parts of the world. The character of New Zealand’s youth had been built up in the home, the churches, the schools, and under the general civic system of the country. The spirit that had thus been developed should be fostered so that a high standard of discipline and respect for person; and authority would be maintained. By so doing New Zealanders would win the respect of the whole earth. Sir George stated that wherever he had travelled he had heard New Zealanders spoken highly of, and of the reputation they had earned New Zealanders ' should be proud. (Applause.) Speaking of the functions of the R.S.A., Sir George said that for some years he was away from New Zealand and out of touch with the work of the association. On his return some time ago, however, he decided to take an interest in its work, first assuring himself that that work was worth while. He urged every ex-service-man to join up, not for the sake of any benefits that might accrue to himself, but remembering the comrades who had fallen, and the ones who were maimed, and in order to give a hand to the men and their dependents'who had been rendered down and out as the result of the war. (Applause-) “When,” continued the speaker, “I wandered about 1 the battlefields after the war, and stood before the Menin Gate at Ypres, on which 58,000 names of missing men were inscribed, I was forced to ask myself, ‘What was it all for? What did we gain?’ Surely it is our duty, remembering these men, who gave their lives for their country, also to give some service to our country. The best way to do this is by being loyal, playing the game, and doing our part in the life of the community, and, above all, by seeing that our chums who are disabled, and their dependents, are properly provided for. (Applause.) Support for League of Nations, In conclusion,,, Sir George urged support for the League of Nations, and for any organisation that was working for peace. He uttered a word of caution, however, against undertaking any sweeping alterations in the defence system of the Dominion. Britain was at present sacrificing more than any other nation in the way of disarming, and we should await the counsels of the Mother Land before making drastic alterations. “New Zealand stands or falls by the British Empire if war breaks out,” added Sir George, “and we should stand by that.” '(Applause.) Mr. J. A. Young, M.P.,-in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, emphasised that right was might, not that might was right. This was the truth in the long run. New Zealand went to Britain’s aid in proving this. He supported General Richardson in the contention that the military training of New Zealand’s youth had contributed in a great measure 1 to the Dominion s prowess in the war. Through the League of Nations world peace was receiving a more forceful and concrete impetus than through any other body. The toast was replied to by Mr Barry. Amongst those who gave items were Messrs H. Saunders, K. Eade, Janeway, Sweet, Cross, Fenton, Hampshire and ’ O’Grady.