ROUSING SEND-OFF

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 181, 29 April 1938, Page 6

ROUSING SEND-OFF

R.S.A. Contingent Returns To New Zealand CHEERY SCENE AT WHARF By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received April 29. 12.30 a.m.) Sydney, April 28. As the Maunganui and the Monowai sailed for Wellington, the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ contingent aboard received a rousing send-off from a crowd of friends, well-wishers and fellow diggers that packed the wharves and extended far along the approaches. The men swarmed up the masts and were at the ships’ rails and every vantage point. Bands played at the ships’ sides and the crowd joined in singing wartime songs and ‘‘Auld Lang Syne.” The police band accompanied the vessels down the harbour. The whole scene was one of the cheeriest seen for many years. ■ The Hon. Vincent Ward, M.L.C., in an interview, said the New Zealanders were proud of the part they played iu the wonderful Anzac commemoration.

‘‘We return with a feeling of affection for Australia and its courteous and hospitable people,” he said. ‘‘The spirit of goodwill abroad during our visit was something words cannot explain. 1 feel it is bound to lead to a better -understanding between Australia and New Zealand.”