GREAT WELCOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 37, 14 February 1944, Page 3

GREAT WELCOME

FURLOUGH SOLDIERS

MARCH THROUGH CITY

Scenes of remarkable enthusiasm attended the march through Wellington today of those members of the Second N.Z.E.F. who recently returned home on furlough from the Middle East. From the commencement of the march in Stout Street, up Lambton Quay, and Willis Street and along Manners Street to the Allied Forces Club, where a civic luncheon was held, great crowds cheered and clapped and threw confetti and paper and streamers over the men.

Preceded by motor-cyclists to clear a path through the crowd, which grew denser as the march proceeded, the men were led by Colonel J. M. Mitchell and marched to music provided by the Trentham Camp Band. Lambton Quay was lined with people long before the march started, and by the time the men reached the corner of the Quay and Willis Street they were covered with confetti and masses of torn paper dropped from neighbouring buildings. Not all the men that returned took part in the march. Many others waited at the Allied Forces Club, which those who marched had great difficulty in entering, the street being a solidlypacked mass of people. About 150 men and a few official guests1 sat down to an excellent luncheon, during which there was little formality and only three speeches.

In welcoming the men, the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) expressed pleasure, on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Wellington, at their return. The men had made great comradeships overseas and discovered great qualities in themselves and their friends. When they became old they would be able to say with pride that they had belonged to the 2nd N.Z.E.F., which had played a great part in bringing about the improved war situation.

Mr. Hislop referred to the changes that had taken place in New Zealand during the past four years, and the methods taken to defend the country in the event of an attack by Japan, paying a tribute to the work of the Home Guard and the E.P.S. "A GREAT NAME." "We are very proud to have the chance of meeting you fellows here today," he concluded. "You have enhanced the reputation of the Ist N.Z.E.F. and done things of which anyone who bears the name of New Zealand is proud. Those men in the air, the land, and the sea have made a great name for the country." "I claim,, after talking to senior officers, that if it was not for that memorable rush from Syria to Mersa Matruh to meet Rommel, Egypt would haye gone and Suez would have gone," said the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser), in extending a welcome to the men. He spoke briefly, expressing his pleasure that the men were home, a pleasure shared by the city of Wellington, which had shown its regard for them during the march.

The welcome they had received during the march was magnificent, said Colonel Mitchell, in reply. They had expected a warm welcome, but it had exceeded all their expectations.

"We are justly proud of being Kiwis," he said in thanking the previous speakers for their remarks. "If we have done anything to make you proud of your division we are very pleased." Colonel Mitchell paid a great tribute to the work of New Zealand girls in the Middle East, where they were doing a great job in a trying climate. "The New Zealand girls in the Middle East are on a pedestal high above the girls of any other formation," he added among applause from the men.

There was no one overseas who did not want to come home, he concluded, and those who were back were very pleased. He wished the men a happy holiday.

Musical items were given during the luncheon, an Army dance, orchestra providing* music.