SIR D. McLEAN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10299, 7 January 1927, Page 3

SIR D. McLEAN

ENTERTAINED BY MAORI WA« VETERANS. HASTINGS, Jan 6. The Maori War v eterans entertained Sir Douglas.McLean at their annual social reunion y este'rOay. The. chairman, Mr. W. G. -Bennett; m proposing Sir Douglas McLean s health, alluded to his devoted war service in England during lour years of the war, as became a worthy son of a worthy sire. He always worked for the Maori War-veterans. He was instrumental in securing for them old age pensions in addition to military pensions. No • one was more wortliy of the honor done him by the King than Sir Douglas. Replying to the toast. Sir Douglas Mac Lean said his only regret was that the late Major Gascoyne had not received from the authorities the New Zealand Cross which he so well deserved. There was a tendency m New Zealand to forget these pioneers, whose pluck, sacrifice, and endurance had laid the foundation of the country’s prosperity. The colonisation ol New Zealand was one of the greates episodes in history for individual pluck and enterprise, and the memory of pioneers’ devotion should be kept in the minds of the rising generation to inspire them to live up to the standard set bv their enterprise, determination. endurance, and sacrifice. —P.A.