A BETTER WELCOME

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 52, 1 March 1919, Page 11

A BETTER WELCOME

TOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. NEW PLANS A .RANGED. A proposal to more adequately welcome returned soldiers on arrival at Auckland was being planned just before the epidemic, but tbe advent of that scourge resulted in the plans being held in abeyance. organisation of welcomes has now again been taken up. and was referred to to-day by Mrs J. H. Ounson. She said that although the arrangements were made in good faith, there was a possibility of their being upset by quarantine arrangements. The next troopship was expected to put in an appearance early in March, and arrangements made so far would result in the men receiving a satisfactory welcome. The present proposal wat- to give prominence to some sort of aquatic carnival. A ferry steamer carrying next-of-kin would steam roi'.nd the transport, and would afterwards accompany the transport to the wharf, where the next-of-kin would be landed in good time for the disembarkation. The directors of the Devonport Ferry Co. heartily co-operated in this plan. The Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association has been asked to have a* many yachts and motor launches out as possible if the time were suitable.

A bend will continue to play at the end of the v-hart as the transport comes alongside, and the wharf will be decorated with bunting and flags, while fruit and cigarettes will be distributed among tbe men as usual. The railway station will also lie liberally decorated, and citizens generally are invited to fly flags. Various women's leagues that have been prominently connected with war work will probably help in forming what is known as "string posts'" to cheer the men as they pass up Queen Street in the motor cars. These arrangements, with a dinner in the evening, should make the soldiers feel that they are being heartily welcomed. Various local bodies and the Defence Department have heartilyacquiesced in the proposals.