BIOGRAPHICAL.
LANCE-CORPORAL G. H. FERENS.
Lance-corporal Gordon Hamilton Ferens it is the eldest son of Mr W. H. Ferens, of 167 York place, Dunedin. He was a sapper in the late Cadet Engineer Corps until it it was disbanded, and then he entered the Highland Rifles and attained to the rank of sergeant. This company, with others in the Otago district, was disbanded when the Territorial system was introduced some four or five years ago. Lance-corporal Ferens was an ardent harrier, and was secretary for the St. Andrew’s Harrier Club for two years. He was considered one of the most consistent runners in his club, winning several prizes. He was on the committee of the Athletic Centre, and was always prominent in all the important cross-country runs, and was also known to finish up every run. He served his time with A. and T. Inglis's large establishment, in the men's mercery branch. He was also with Messrs J. and J. Arthur for several years as junior salesman, and in both places he was highly esteemed. He left Dunedin sone two years ago, and was salesman for Mr S. C. Snow, of Timaru, he when the war broke out, and was among the first in Timarn to send in his name. He held the position of lance-corporal in the Second (South Canterbury) Infantry Battalion. -Evening Star, 15/5/1915.
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R.S.A. AFFAIRS
MEETING OF EXECUTIVE (abridged)
A meeting of the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association was held last night, the president (Mr J. S. Skinner) being in the chair.
Thirteen nominations and one resignation were received.
The chairman and Messrs B. J. Anderson and H. L. Paterson wore appointed to interview Mr H. D. Skinner with a view to having a returned soldiers’ corner established at the museum.
The general secretary forwarded a circular stating that information had been received that subscriptions were invited from members of the staff who served in the Third London General Hospital and patients who were nursed there towards the erection of a memorial to the service of the late Matron Edith Holden, R.R.C. The proposal was to erect a memorial at her burial spot, and to endow a child’s cot in her name. — Received.
The secretary of the Gore Association wrote enclosing complimentary tickets for its reunion on Saturday week. — Received Messrs G. H. Ferens and E. J. Anderson were appointed to make arrangements for a display of war material at the forthcoming Manufacturers’ Association exhibition. -Evening Star, 29/10/1930.
Gordon Ferens' name appears often in the newspapers of the "inter-war" years, mostly in connection with RSA affairs and the RSA Miniature (.22 calibre) Rifle Club.
RIFLE SHOOTING
R.S.A. CLUB
The seventh annual meeting of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Small Bore Rifle Club last night was well attended, Mr W. Goudie (club deputy-captain) presiding.
The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion.
It was decided to send a letter to Mr D. H. Rownlree expressing appreciation of his services to the club as president, and accepting his resignation.
Office-bearers were elected as follows: — President, Mr G. H. Fercns: club captain, Mr W. Gordon; deputy-captain, H. N. White; range officer, S. Harvey; assistant range officer, T. Menzies; handicapper, O. L. Holden; delegates to the Otago Miniature Rifle Association, Messrs W. Goldie and H. N. White; club committee — Messrs J. Harrison, C. Johnston, W. Meikle, C. James, T. Ferens; auditor, Mr A. J. Gordon, secretary and treasurer, Mr O. L. Ferens; assistant secretary, Mr O. L. Holden.
Mr J. Judson suggested that sons of members should be allowed to join the club. Ho remarked that returned soldiers were growing older, and the club was in need of new blood. — Mr G. H. Ferens stated that, although there was nothing in the constitution to prevent such lads being admitted, the understanding was that only bona fide returned soldiers should be admitted. — It was decided that Messrs Ferens and Holden approach the executive of the R.S.A. on the matter. -Evening Star, 12/3/1935.
It seems to have been an occasional issue for the Returned Services Association: numbers reducing as the old soldiers "fade away" and the resistance of those remaining to membership for those who were not "bona fide."
SHOOTING MATCH
VISIT OF H.M.A.S. AUSTRALIA
On Monday, April 12, the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Small-bore Rifle Club had the pleasure of a visit from a nine-man team from H.M.A.S. Australia, and a most enjoyable shoot was held on the railway range. The naval men shot well, considering they were operating under strange conditions and with strange rifles, and are to be complimented on coming within 6 points of the “diggers’” score. At the conclusion of the shoot, the president. (Mr G. H. Ferens) welcomed the sailors, stressing the good feeling that always existed between the two services and stating that the only regret was that the Australian Navy did not come here often enough. Mr Hardemann suitably replied on behalf of the Navy, and created a pleasant surprise by presenting a handsome trophy for the highest scorer in the match. The scores were as follow:... -Evening Star, 20/4/1937.
Gordon Ferens was present at a meeting of the Dunedin RSA in which a certain matter was discussed.
CRUSH COMMUNISM
A DANGEROUS INFLUENCE
SPREADING THROUGHOUT DOMINION
RETURNED SOLDERS UP IN ARMS
Communism was roundly assailed by the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association at a meeting last night, and the greatest concern was shown by the members over the spread of the Communist movement throughout the particularly at a time when the Dominion was at war. It was stated that this political doctrine was spreading through institutions like schools, libraries, and universities. Immediate reprisals by the Government were advocated by the executive, which unanimously supported a motion urging the Government to investigate immediately the activities of the Communist Party in the Dominion.
POLICE ACTIVITY. “Recently I received a leaflet issued by the Communist party which was titled ‘Soldiers and Workers,’ said Mr G. McKnight, who attended later a meeting of the Communist Party in the Left Book Club rooms. “In reading this literature I am of the opinion that the publication is prejudicial to the good order and military discipline of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as it raises doubts in the minds of our fighting men as to their treatment regarding rehabilitation into civil life after the war. The Government has given the people its guarantees on this matter, and no more need be said. I noticed in the Press an announcement to the effect that the Communist Party was holding a public meeting in the Left Book Club rooms at 7.30 p.m. the same day, and I decided there and then to attend the gathering and tell the members what I, a returned soldier, thought about foisting their Communist literature upon me and other loyal British subjects.” Mr McKnight then traversed what happened at the meeting, and said that the chairman in his opening remarks announced that owing to instructions from the police no further meetings would be held. One speaker had said that when Russia conquered Finland the Finns would be granted greater freedom and better conditions than before this war. Police activities involving the party in Dunedin were discussed, added Mr McKnight, and it was stated that the Communist Party could hold open-air meetings in certain places set aside by the City Council, and so long as there was no obstruction or disturbance the police could not interfere. It was further said that before the police could make an arrest they must first of all have the written authority of a certain Government official.
LOYALTY EXPECTED. “I want to say that I fail to see why a director of the Reserve Bank (who, by the way, is well paid by the Government of New Zealand) should be present at a Communist meeting,” said Mr McKnight. “I feel that we ex-servicemen, who are loyal to our King and Empire, must make up our minds to stop grousing to ourselves about subversive propaganda. We have a job to do, and our duty is plain, and I would say to Dominion Headquarters that we must dedicate ourselves to leave no stone unturned to see to it that the armed forces of our country are given every support, both during the war and after. We offer our whole-hearted co-operation and services to the Government in any way that they may direct, but we must see to it that this form of propaganda is not carried on behind the backs of those sons of the old diggers who are going overseas to safeguard our very existence.”
TEXT OF MOTION. Mr McKnight then presented the following motion — “That the association requests headquarters of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association to approach the Government, insisting on an immediate investigation into the activities of the Communist Party in New Zealand. When such investigations show that the parties responsible for advocating and aiding and abetting Communistic and disloyal principles and propaganda are holding any Government or public office such persons should be immediately dismissed.”
“The time has arrived when we should do something about Communist activities,” said Mr G. H. Ferens, who seconded Mr Knight’s motion. “Last week a paper called ‘The People’s Voice’ was thrust into a man’s face at the association’s club room, and the seller was promptly knocked down. We should assert ourselves. If open-air Communist meetings against war are held we can disperse them if we do not create a disturbance.”
GOVERNMENT’S DUTY. Mr W. F. Forrester said that if the Communists’ activities were conducted by a few harmless “cranks” there would not be so much exception taken. It was the duty of the Government to step in at once and disperse more subversive elements, as he believed that these were rife in the universities, in public libraries, and in the high schools. If some of these persons with Communistic leanings lost their jobs that would be the end of such goings-on in these institutions. Mr Ferens mentioned that steps had been taken to close a shop in Broadway. He added that in some of the primary schools in Dunedin the Russian flag had been displayed, but he did not know of any steps to remove it. Persons in public positions in Dunedin had upheld Russia’s action in fighting Finland, said Mr Ferens. This meant that now was the time for the Government and others to dismiss from their employment this class. Mr L. G. Hill advocated instant action by the association so that the Government would move against Communists throughout the Dominion. They had Mr Semple’s assurance that something drastic would be done. Mr Keith Cameron gave an instance of how the seeds of Communism were spread. People who were not certain when they visited public libraries of what type of book to read were introduced to Communistic literature. It had been very noticeable at the Children’s Day recently at Wingatui that many teachers did not pay the slightest attention when the National Anthem was sung. They did not open their mouths or stand to attention. Mr McKnight remarked that of the 60 persons at the meeting he attended two-thirds of them were of military age. Members expressed their thanks to Mr McKnight for going to the meeting in the interests of the association.
MONEY FROM RUSSIA. The president of the association (Mr J. M. White) said that the shop in Broadway that had been mentioned as being closed down, was so closed at the instigation of the owner of the premises in the past two weeks. Literature displayed was in the possession of the proper quarter— the Government. There was no doubting the fact, as pointed out by Mr. Semple, that money from Russia was assisting Communist propaganda.
Before the motion was carried Mr A. McCutchon suggested holding a public meeting so that the majority — the loyal people — could express their loyalty. -Evening Star, 13/3/1940.
Gordon Ferens re-enlisted in August, 1940 and was accepted for Home Service until the middle of 1943. He kept up his services to the RSA - I imagine that the Association was preparing itself for the inevitable increase of numbers at the War's end.
OBITUARY
MR GORDON FERENS
The death occurred suddenly yesterday, at the age of 58 years, of Mr Gordon Hamilton Ferens, who was well known in commercial circles for many years as the town traveller of the Wellington Woollen Manufacturing Company. The second son of Mr W. H. Ferens, deceased was born in Dunedin and educated at the Arthur Street School and the Normal School. He left New Zealand with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force in 1914, his regimental number being 6/453, and he took part with the Second South Canterbury Regiment in the landing on Gallipoli, in which he was wounded.
Before the war of 1914-1918 Mr Ferens served in the Dunedin Engineer Cadets and the Dunedin Highland Rifles in the days of the Volunteer movement. He was a member of the Ex-Highland Rifles Association. He served as an executive member of the Dunedin Returned Services Association for about 10 years, and was a past vice-president of the association. He was one of the founders of the R.S.A. Small Bore Rifle Club, to which he gave enthusiastic support and of which he was president for some years. Mr Ferens was a very enthusiastic worker in the annual Poppy Day appeal of the R.S.A., always giving valued assistance in the checking and counting of poppies. He was very actively concerned with the social side of R.S.A. activities, and gave whole-hearted support to many movements, particularly during the depression years.
During the recent war Mr Ferens served for several years in the local battalion of the National Reserve, and later on home defence when that unit was transferred to the Territorial Force. Before the first World War he was an active member of the St. Andrew's harriers.
Mr Ferens is survived by his wife and two daughters, both of whom are members of the teaching profession. His father, Mr W. H. Ferens, who went to live in Auckland several years ago and who is in his ninety-first year, was well known in Dunedin for his long and close association with the Otago Early Settlers' Association. -Evening Star, 6/5/1946.
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