"AUSSIE DIGGERS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 148, 26 June 1939, Page 15

"AUSSIE DIGGERS."

VISIT TO DOMINION.

ANZAC DAY CEREMONY.

(From Our Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Sunday.

A suggestion that one of the vessels which are to bring the contingent of Australian returned soldiers to New Zealand for Anzac Day next year should land its passengers at Auckland so that some of the Australians could attend the observance in Auckland, instead of all of them being in Wellington, was rejected by - the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association. Three Vessels may be used. The conference approved tentative arrangements for the entertainment of the visitors, which include the distribution of parties to various parte of the Dominion after they have attended the Anzac Day ceremonies in Wellington. The branch organisations in the four centres are to call meetings of all associations in their districts to discuss local arrangements with an organiser to be appointed by the association. Replying to Mr. R. G. Mason (Auckland), who said that he had heard that three ships would come to New Zealand with "Aussie Diggers," the president, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., said the third ship was still subject to negotiation. Mr. Mason said that if there were three ships one should go to Auckland, so that the people the:e could see the Australians on Anzac Day. • Mr. W. A. Knaggs (Rotorua) said four hours was far too short a period for a visit to Rotorua. The Rotorua asso-

...By HAROLD EVANS

Short Story

ciation would undertake to provide accommodation for 500 men, and the Maoris wanted to join in entertaining them.

The president said the visitors would have to be distributed to various places. The Australians themselves had said they wanted to spend the six days in Wellington. Some of the men could not be sent to other centres for Anzac Day. The march on Anzac Day would be a national march, and would have to be held in one city. Contingents visiting other cities would march to the war memorials there and would meet the citizens then.