EX-SERVICEMEN MEET

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19913, 16 June 1936, Page 2

EX-SERVICEMEN MEET

REUNION AT TE AWAMUTU ADDRIGS IY OOLONII. HAROIS'I'. SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. (Times Representative). TE AW’AMUTL‘, Tuesday. Reminiscsn-ces of service days were ‘recailed in Te Awamutn last evening. when the‘ local branch of the Returned Soldiers‘ Association held its annual re-unton in the Parish Hall. \Vtth a muster of over iSO members and \'isls tors from surrounding districts, the re—unton was counted as the most Successful since the inception rnt‘ the branch. Mr \V. )chill. president. presided anti the guest of the evenins was Colonel J. llargest. 0.8.0.. 311).. M.P., Commanding (”liver of the Otago infantry Battalion. Mr \V. J. Broadl’not. M.P.. the Mayor. Mr G. Spinley. and the chairman of the \\'aipa County Council. Mr 5. C. B, Mack)’. were also present. One of the most interesting features was the ofllcial roll-call which em—braced e‘x—serricemen in every fighting unit and from all parts of the Do‘ minion. A welcome to the guest of the evening was extended by the Mayor. In honour of “Absent Comrades " Mr 11. Swarbrick Karo :1 fine rendering of “ Requiem." Proposing the toast to the truest o! the evening, Captain J. Oilphant referred to Colonel llargest‘s distinguished war record. "The Greatest Freemasonry." haplylng, Colonel Hargest regretted that prior engagements necessitated his early departure. “You men belong to the greatest freemasonry 1n the world—the R.5.A.." said the speaker. He said returned soldiers must feel some concern at the state of world affairs to-day. Although he was a| pacifist, he thought that in another emergency he would urge upon the young men to take up arms in defence of their country and the ideals they rherished. The might of Britain was the greatest factor for world peace to-day. contended the speaker. in reference to the Government's Defence Committee, the speaker said this body was working unltedly in the interests-H of the returned men. In a tribute to' Mr Broadt’oot, )lr Ital-Rest said! he knew of no man who was keenel‘i in the cause of ex-sorrire‘men. 1 An appeal for funds was made by Mr 17. \Vliilchuusn, who gave a brief resume ol‘ the activities of the. asso—ciation. The sale (11‘ Anzac stamps, from the To‘ .-\\\‘znnntu Post. Uillcc limit amnuntrd to almnt £39. Many local! hodirs hnd ronlrilnntrrt and in the light] of this the public response had not: been wry great. .\ t'tilll‘l'iiflll in the hall for needy cases amounted to £7 35 id. Other Toasts. Proposing the toast. to the Army. Navy. Air Force, nurses and padres, Mr Broadtoot referred to the service each unit had xlvefi in the War. Mr Mc— Kenzie replied on behalf of the united services. ' Other toasts honoured were:—“Local Bodies." proposed by Mr W. Jeffery, and responded to by the Mayor 2 on behalf of the Borough Council. and Mr S. C. Mucky on behalf of the County Council: “Visitors." Dr. J. B. Roberton. replied to by Visitors from Cambridge, Malamute and Otoroltanga; “ BSA. " Mr .\lacliy. reply by Mr .\icGill. The contributors to the. programme! were as follows z—Mr C. Russo (Gom—-in-ldgnl, songs in linlinn: Mr (It Storey. humour: .\lr \\'. 'l‘rcmhnth 'llmniltonl. songs: .\lr Rr‘rt. Hex; humorous mnnnlognes: Mr F. 11. \\'nol—(triage (Cambridge) humorous elocu—E iinn' and Mr \\'. lmllc)’. songs at. the piano. tinnnnunlly singing was led by Mr T. ilmnpshirc (Cambridge).