WARTIME MEMORIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18640, 19 May 1932, Page 11

WARTIME MEMORIES.

ASSOCIATIONS RENEWED. RETURNED SOLDIERB FRATERNIBE SPIRIT OF THE PAST REVIVED. Memories'of war in all its aspects were revived In Hamilton last night, when ex-servicemen from throughout the district met in the Winter Show Hall to renew old acquaintances and celebrate another year of peace. The occasion marked the sixteenth annual reunion of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association, and many units, Imperial and Colonial, were represented in the gathering of nearly two hundred. The president of the Association, Mr E. F. Clayton-Greene, presided. ~ „ . . . It was fitting that the first toast after tho National Anthem -should have been “Fallen Comrades," proposed by Mr N. Johnson. While the meeting stood In silent tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice, Mr K. P. Eade sang “Requiem." A tribute to the, fine record of service of the New Zealand Units overseas was paid by Captain C. M. Alain, late of the Royal Horse Artillery, in proposing the toast of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. At the commencement of the Great War, New Zealand, with a population of only one and a half millions, sent 100,000 men to fight for their Empire, a record which was unsurpassed among the Dominions, and only eclipsed by the English counties. On the battlefields of France and other theatres of war 17,000 New Zealanders' made their last sacrifice, truly a great sacrifice. To him N.Z.E.F. stood for nerve, zeal, endurance, and fearlessness. A review, of the activities of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association over the past few years was given by Mr S. J. Harrison, general secretary of the organisation. Much had been said of the part played by the N.Z.E.F. in the war, when they had been given the name of the silent division. To-day the N.Z.E.F. lived as the N.Z.R.S.A. and the fighting was still as hard. Since 1927 membership of the association had increased each year.

Assistance From Canteen Fund.

Referring to the Canteen Fund, he said that right through New Zealand •the Canteen Board had been criticised. When first -established the fund totalled £160,000, bbt since then the figures had Increased to £’202,000, of which £197,000 was invested at £5 10s 7d per cent. . That money had been held as a last line of defence for assisting returned men, but the future must he carefully watched. To date the association had received £27,600, all of which had been administered in giving assistance. The most gratifying aspect was the fact that the branches were still receiving subsidies from the various local bodies. Last year the Canteen Fund gave £II,OOO to the association, all of which had been expended. In'; making this grant, the capital of the fund had been eaten Into to the extent of £SOOO, and It was clear that if relief on the same lines was to be continued the principal would again he enoroached upon this year. All members of the Canteen Boapd were members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, with the Interests of the men at heart, and if a concrete scheme for utilising ths funds to the best advantage of all concerned was put forward they would consider it.

The Patrlotlo Boolety. Speaking of war funds, Mr Harrison said that the Hamilton district was covered by the Auckland Patriotic Society, which, however, was handicapped through lack of funds. Men requiring assistance, and not being in receipt of a pension, were obliged to call on the National War Fund, which totalled about £160,000. In 1927, £SOOO a year -was granted, but this year that figure would be exceeded, with the result that the principal was gradually being absorbed. Since 1927 £35,000 had been issued. The question of pension reductions had been before the association a great deal over the past few months. The Association held that a 10 per cent reduction in pensions was too great a burden. Eventually they agreed to a £60,000 reduction, which, compared with the Government's suggestion of £BO,OOO, and the Economy Commission's recommendation of £135,000, waa very satisfactory. The exemptions whloh the Association, demanded were also granted. Mr Harrison was accorded musical honours. The Roll Oall. An interesting event was the roll call, in which every returned man present stood and gave his name and unit. Many well-known Imperial units were mentioned, as well as most of the New Zealand regiments and companies. The Royal Navy was also represented. After supper had been served the assembled company led by Mr R. Sweet joined in rousing arnjy choruses. Mutt Btlok Together. The new' president, Dr. F. D. Pinfold, after thanking the members for appointing him to the position, went on to refer to the treatment which the returned men were receiving. They were not getting what they deserved, he said, and they should all stick together and see that they received fair play from a country which, he was sorry to say, had failed to remember. It was time that they stood up for •their rights, which were being taken from them.

The chairman proposed the toast of "kindred units, neighbouring associations, guests and entertainers.” Captain Alain and Messrs B. Hume (Raglan), Swayne (Cambridge) and W. McPherson (Morrinsville) spoke in reply. An excellent musical programme, arranged by Mr E. L. Watkins, contributed in a large measure to tho success of the function. The following artists took part; Messrs H. Saunders, R. Sweet, T. Hampshire (Cambridge), G. Wheeler, T. Rhydderch Jones, J. C. McCready, songs, Mr P. Evans, humour.

PAST YEAR REVIEWED.

CANTEEN FUND DISBURSEMENTS. DR. PINFOLD NEW PRESIDENT. Prior to the commencement of the smoke concert, the annual meeting of the Association was held, the president, Mr E. F. Clayton-Greene, presiding over a good attendance of member*.

The annual report, which has already been published, was taken as read, together with the statement of accounts, which disclosed a small debit balance on the year’s working. The report and balance sheet were adopted. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet the chairman said that membership was down slightly, but he thought that there would be an increase this year, as Raglan had beoome affiliated. Nevertheless, there should be more members in the Waikato district. A tremendous amount of work had been done this year.

A Busy Year,

Some indication of the work done by the secretary was giyen in the fact that in the past twelve months he had Interviewed -at least a thousand men on association matters. A considerable sum had been expended in assisting returned men. Strenuous efforts had been made against the proposal to reduce pensions, with considerable success.

Speaking of canteen funds, he said that about £12,000 was -being disbursed’ each year, of which the Waikato Association received about £25 a month as 'lts quota. At the last annual conference a suggestion was made that a scheme should be devised whereby each returned man could at a certain age draw a sum in the nature of an annuity from the fund, which totalled about £200,000. No definite decision was reached, v Elootlon of Officer*.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President, Dr. F. D. Pinfold; vice-president, Mr R. B. Cranwell; executive committee, Messrs Harvey’Wright (Raglan), T. Paterson (Ngaruawahia), H. C. M. Norris, E. F. Glayton-Greene, R. D. McFarland, J. Blackhall, N. Johnson, A. D. McKenzie, G. -S. Clark, E. P. Liddell,; auditor, Mr W. H. Allen. A tribute to the valuable services rendered by the secretary, Mr H. G. M. Norris, was paid by Mr. Cranwell, who said that special thanks were due to him for the work he had done. A remit, to be forwarded to the annual conference, at Wellington, to the effect that the Pensions Department should again be urged to make available for Inspection by applicants for pensions their official flies, was brought forward by the president. Mr Norris, Jn support of the remit said that It would greatly facilitate the work of the association and the pensions officials. , The remit was carried.

The presentation of a visitors’ book was made to the association by Mr G. S. Clark, who expressed the hope that ' all present would sign their names therein. The chairman thanked Mr Clarke for his gift. The general secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr S. J. Harrison, of Wellington, was introduced by the chairman.

Canteen Fund Expenditure,

Referring to the expenditure of the canteen fund, Mr Harrison said that the Minister of Defence asked that this fund should be called upon to assist the functioning of the Returned* Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment Act, as the Government did not have the necessary funds Itself. This question would be considered at the forthcoming conference. Votes U thanks to all who had assisted in the successful functioning of the association concluded the business.