Freyberg's Veterans Granted Leave

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 163, 12 July 1943, Page 4

Freyberg's Veterans Granted Leave

LARGE DRAFT ARRIVES Married Men, Plus Single Men Chosen by Lot (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, announced to-day that the Government was very pleased to welcome home a large draft of officers, men and nurses who have been brought back to the Dominion on extended furlough. Mr. Fraser said as soon as it became evident that the campaign in North Africa was drawing to a successful close, negotiations were opened with Lieutenant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., and the United Kingdom Government for the return to the Dominion of as many members as possible of the First, Second and Third Echelons and their>transportation to New Zealand'. The Government was very pleased that it had been possible to make arrangements for such a large proportion of the men of the first three echelons to come home. Mr. Fraser said the Government had requested General Freyberg to give preference to married men, andj with the exception of some married officers, senior N.CO.'s and specialists ■who could not all be spared at the one time, this had been done. The single men included in the draft were selected by ballot. The Kiwi Concert Party accompanied the draft for the entertainment of the troops. When members of this celebrated party had had, a short period of leave they would reassemble and tour New Zealand, giving public concerts, the proceeds of which would go to the National Patriotic Fund. It had also been possible toarrange for a number of officers and men who had ties in the United Kingdom and' Australia to spend their furlough in those countries. Others May Come Later Mr. Fraser added that it was hoped that future operations of the Second New Zealand Division and other circumstances would permit the extension of the furlough scheme to other men with long service, particularly the remaining members of the first three echelons. The officers and other ranks in this first "furlough party are being granted extended furlough on full pay and allowances, together with a free pass on the railways during the furlough period. In the case of married men (including those who may marry during furlough) the railway pass will include wives. On the termination of their furlough the men will return to their units overseas. Mr. Fraser said the best possible arrangements in the circumstances had been made for the notification of next-of-kin, and he hoped that everyone would appreciate the efforts that had been made in this direction, and for the rapid transport of the men to their homes by the army authorities, the Post and Telegraph Department, Railway Department, shipping companies and many other organisations and individuals who had co-operated in the big task. In conclusion, Mr. Fraser said he hoped members of the draft who had so well earned a respite from active campaigning would enjoy their stay in New Zealand, and that when their furlough came to an end they would rejoin the division refreshed and ready to play whatever part was allotted to them in smashing the enemy, under their great leader General Freyberg, who, during his recent tour of the Dominion, was given such a welldeserved and overwhelming welcome wherever he went. Bearing in mind that the men as well as their relatives and friends would desire that they should get to their homes with the least possible delay, it was decided not to hold a parade in Wellington, but to leave any function of this nature to be held in the very near future in cities and towns where the men reside after they have IvH their family reunions.