FURLOUGH MEN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 119, 15 February 1944, Page 4

FURLOUGH MEN

Parade And Civic Luncheon

WELLINGTON WELCOME Crowds lined the main streets of Wellington yesterday to welcome members of the second furlough party from the Second N.Z.E.F. The men were greeted with a continuous roar of .cheering and applause as they marched through showers of confetti to the Allied Services Club in MunHers Street, where they were guests at a civic luncheon. The parade was headed by the Trentham Military Band. Speaking at the luncheon, the mayor, Mr. Hislop, on behalf of tile citizens of Wellington, welcomed the men home. They had come back, he said, after three years and more of great experiences, but he was sure they would agree that the greatest experience was the making of magnificent friendships which would endure to the end of their lives. Whatever they did in the days ahead they would always say, till they were old men, that the proudest thing in their lives was that they were members of the New Zealand Division.

When they went away Great Britain was fighting with indomitable courage with its back to the wall. Under the direction of the greatest Englishman who ever lived, Winston Churchill, it had held the line till all the great strength now with the Allies could be mustered, leading to the change in the war situation that was apparent today. “You have played a great, indomitable part in bringing about that change,” said Mr. Hislop. “We are very proud to have the chance of meeting you here today. You have done a great job, you have magnificently enhanced the reputation of the Ist Division, you have done things of which everyone who bears the name of New Zealander must be proud. You and all New Zealanders wherever they are serving, by land, sea or air, have made a splendid name for their country and have played a worthy part for the cause which is ours and which must triumph.”

The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, also welcomed the men. “After discussion with army chiefs,” he said, “I claim that if it had not been for the wonderful rush of our men down from Syria where Rommel was met head-on, Egypt and the Middle East would have gone. I thank you for what you have done and I hope you will have the happiest possible time in your own country and your own city that you have saved for us.” Responding, Colonel J. M. Mitchell, D. 5.0., said that the men had had a imagnificent welcome home, for which he expressed appreciation. “We are justly nroud of being Kiwis,” he said. He paid a tribute to the New Zealand girls in the Middle East, who, he said, were doing wonderful work under difficult conditions. ’ i

During the luncheon a musical programme was enjoyed.

A decision to hold a civic reception for the Lower Hutt men of the second furlough party was made at a meeting of the Lower Hutt City Council last night. After being entertained at a picture theatre next Tuesday night the men will be invited to a supper and social.