THE OFFICIAL RECEPTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 16 July 1915, Page 6

THE OFFICIAL RECEPTION

AT THE. TOWN HALL WARM WELCOME FROM N;Z. Long before the wounded soldiers began to. arrive at the Town Hall the galleries were crowded by the genoral public, and the arrival of .the first small party of returned men was the signal for a tremendous burst of clapping, everyono rising to do hononr to tho. soldiers. His Excellency the Governor, the Counters of Liverpool, the Prime I'inister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey), the Leader of the Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward), tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke); and members of the Ministry, with their wives,, occupied positions on the platform overlooking the soldiers. Mr. Luke addressed the men first. It was one of the most memorable epochs in the history of the Dominion, he said, and New Zealand wanted' to welcome her soldiers back fittingly. At the samo time they wanted to have in mind those sons of New Zealand who had laid down 'their lives in tho interest of the Empire. (Loud applause.) New Zealand honoured their memory, and would always respect them. (Applause.) To those who returned, NewZealand extended a hearty welcome home. He read a letter of wclcome.received irom Auckland, which was typical of many others from all parts of the Dominion. "We welcome them back with : a deep feeling of gratitude," said the letter, which ; was signed by Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P. ' His Excellency the Governor said:— "Fellow soldiere, I como as tho representative of the King to welcome you back, but I want to welcome you as a soldier j to soldiers. (Applause,) Wo are proud of what, you have done," he continued. Their ideas had been broadened, no doubt, by their experiences. The welcomo given that day spoke for the welcome of all towns aud villages of New Zealand .(Applause.) Those near and dear to them would bo glad to seo them home. There was a great thing in "■home/' and he hoped all who ivere not yet* >vell would bo soon recovered. They, would he helped by kind friends round them. "I wish you luck wherever yon may be," concluded His Excellency. "I forgot to include tho_ nurses »ho havo been nursing our hoys/' here said the Mayor, and the applause that followed was hearty and spontaneous. The Prime Minister said that the welcome that was extended was the heartiest that it was possible to give. When tlie "boys" were sent away it was predicted that they would do well. They liad dono everything expected of them. They went away as gay /bright, youth, inspired by patriotism. • They camo back still gay and briglilt, but with battle scars which they would be proud to remember in the future. (Applause.) The Battle of Gallipoli would go down in history 09 orie of those fights where the heroism of tIK British and their tenacity against superior numbers was again shown. He, spoke a word for those who had not come back and emphasised that the fight would go on till a glorious victory was gained. The nurses'hocspeeiajly praised. He had been on the Willoehra, where everyone spoke in the highest terms of them. (Applum) Ho isincfveiy tlwnlsM l.tha auiaoa tot .pi

the boys on the homeward voyage. (Loud applause.) The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Jas. Allen) said we wore all giad to seo llio wounded men back. The innermost thought in tho minds of tho wounded ho .thought would 1)6 however, a wish that they were rid of their wounds, and back in the trenches. lie said' that in New Zealand we were all grateful to tho men, and to their nurses, and also to the captain and officers of the AYillochra. If the men went, again, to the front he hoped il.hey would bo fortunato to 6ervo without meeting .with wounds.

Si." Joseph Ward extended a warm welcome to the "soldiprs of the King.!' There was tlmt all-profound prido stirring tho people of New Zealand for what the men bad done. This whs a memorable occasion—they were paying tribute to tliose soldiers whose work would never bo effaced. Their aotions at Gallipoli stood unrivalled in the history of the war. (Applause.) Despite regret at those who had fallen, it wis felt that tho men were not only a credit to New Zealand, but to themselves iu tho way they had discharged the traditions of their forefathers. Having put our bands to the. plough, we would never stop until tliero was tho freedom for which they had fallen in battle. The nurses he also thanked. There were eighty wounded men carried aboard the Wiiiochra, and there were only fiflteen to. be carried ashore. That was due to the nurse 3, and the splendid physique of the New Zealanders. (Applause.) Tho Mayor oalled for cheers for the boys and the nurses, and the Town Hall rang with the response. "Three cheers /for the Australian troops," was shouted by one of the New Zealanders, and the response was equally hearty. The function w,as over by four o'clock, and the soldiers were then motored back jto the AVillochra. /