RETURNED SOLDIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20786, 22 April 1939, Page 10

RETURNED SOLDIERS

GATHERING AT RAGLAN NEED FOR HOME DEFENCE t (Special to Times ) RAGLAN. Friday The seventh annual meeting of the Raglan Returned Soldiers’ Association was held recently, when Mr F. W. Hardey presided over a good attendance of members. in his report the president stated that the year’s nnancial membership stood at 56 and the balance-sheet was in a healthy condition. A successful re-union and a popular ladies’ night were held, three members had journeyed to Sydney to attend the Anzac Day celebrations, Poppy Day sales had increased, while calls on the relief funds had been very light. Officers elected for the following year were: Patron, Major-General Sir Andrew Russell; president, Mr F. \V. Hardey; vice-presidents, Messrs F. 11. Wright. L. C. Hird, and J. 11. Phillips; committee, Messrs F. M. Gibbison, J. L. Martyn, W. S. K. Mills, and J. McCracken; secretary-treasurer, Mr F. W. Bernard; auditor, Mr S. Darby; delegate to Waikato Association, Mr F. H. Wright; social secretary. Mr W, S. K. Mills. Mr J. L. Martyn stressed the need for national defence. Others present referred to the need of a trained force and questioned the sufficiency of equipment to withstand an attack by a hostile force. It was decided that a letter be forwarded to Sir Andrew Russell stating that Raglan returned soldiers were willing to offer ttieir services in home defence if required, and to ask his advice on the matter of equipment, elc. Arrangements in connection with Anzac Day were finalised. Votes of thanks were passed to Messrs F. N. Hardy, F. N. Bernard, and S. J. Darby for their services during the year. TE AWAMUTU ASSOCIATION

j COMPULSORY TRAINING FAVOURED (Special tn Times) T> wv.vmutu. Friday ; The president. Mr ( I Wh u h presided ai the •»:t. amrn genera* n,.-.!-i • V v • I \ - -octal on The -t itemen: of I revealed a e red it balance £.• - .d The following olltcer* were ! , p r e«.nlen *. Mr < n. Idm ..:d«: v ' I lane a: secretary. Mr II T U-H.l'e-, f -i- --; urer. Mr W. J. Tinker; r* her «*mMr i .1. o I .pliant: honorary -olicnnr. Mr J. «>; iphant; auditor. Mr R. H. G. Gonnal; executive committee, Messrs J. A. Marston, F. H I Moore. g. Hastie, H. V. Holme-. J. H. W Roberton, H. M. Andrew, and \V. G Nei country representatives. Messrs W. G. > , :1 Te Kawa . F. Gooder \\ haropuhunga ; I F. It. Godfree Parawera . L». It j Mcl.euy fPokunn, J. Livingstone Pir--1 unpia . W. McGill • Ngahape . i <». Jep-.n \mhena . F. Morris J'uhaue . and W j Johnson Hairim. . National Register of Man-power | Mr M. Innes J..ne- raised the ;s*ue o: military traumig: and urged that th'

branch declare lt'eir In favour or compulsory military training. The roMawing motion was then put and carried unanimouslv. - That tins association is prepared to offer its whole-hearted support to any measure- the <;• .veriiimiit max sec nt to adopt to . a Empire are laced with a grave ariftis.” Mr A. Hanna while approving thought the motion qnl not go far en .ugh. He thought a national register or all manpower of military age should l>e prepared, to ensure that everybody did his share In the defence of the Dominion and the Empire. The present was not a time for party politics. All should be ready to serve their country. Mr \V. G. Neill indicated h- -upport. It w i- stated that the executive had. at it- la-: me. ting, f -ward'-a a resolution much to the satin- effect t<> the head n *- f r- Ol the lor n, d s "‘lters’ As-»cia * ll.’ i.'nimirp- *- Ltd < -in re.'i u d approved • r.-pre-.iiia: n- and f • warded ttiafli Ui UK Non. m. J si. lire and the Hon. f. Jones. Minister of i>••!• ti< the ov : .ar lii'dro nw.i- al-o carried. Oil | ilini- the resolution forwarded by its executive to the *. .veilinicnt advocating a national register of all men of military age, reeling ar a result of experience that 1 the unfa;: incidence ol services in the past war should be avoided at all custa.”