STATEMENT BY PREMIER

Evening Star, Issue 24915, 13 July 1943, Page 5

STATEMENT BY PREMIER

HOPES TO EXTEND FURLOUGH SCHEME PAfiADE MAY HAVE DELAYED REUNIONS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 12. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, announced to-day that the Government was very pleased to welcome home a large draft of officers, men, arid nurses who had been brought back to the Dominion on extended furlough. Mr Fraser said that as soon as_ it became evident that the campaign in North Africa was drawing to a successful close negotiations were opened with GOrieral Freyberg 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 first three echelon men to come home. The Government had requested General Freyberg to give preference to married,men, and, with the, exception of some married officers, senior non-coms., 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 trodpS. When members of this celebrated party havO had a short period of leave they will reassemble and) tour New Zealand, giving, public concerts, the proceeds of which will go to the national patriotic funds. It has also been possible to arrange for a number of officers and men who had ties in the United Kingdom and Australia to spend their furlough in thoso countries. Mr Fraser added that it was hoped that the future operations of the Second New Zealand Division and other circumstances would permit of the extension of the furlough scheme to other men with long service, particularly, the remaining members 'of the first three echelons. Officers and other ranks in this first furlough ■ party are being granted ex-j tendecTfurlough.on full pay and allow-j ances, together with a free pass on the railways during the furlough period. Iri the case of married men (including those who may marry during furlough), the railway pass will include their wives. On the termination of the furlough the men will return to their units over-

seas. • ' Mr Fraser said the Government would have liked very much to arrange, and no doubt the general public of Wellington would also have welcomed, a grand parade of the whole party In Wellington. Very full consideration was given to the proposal that such a parade should be held, but it was found that, as there are no facilities ashore for rationing and quartering such a large body of troops, and as the men could not disembark with their baggage if they were to march through the city, the time required for disembarking and re-embarking the troops, together with other factors, would have meant a delay of nearly'24 hours in dispersing the men belonging to other parts of New Zealand. Bearing in mind that the men, as well as their relatives and friends, Would desire that the men should get to their homes with the least possible delay, it was decided hot to hold a parade at Wellington, bUt to leave a function of this nature to be held in the very mar future in the cities and towns where the men reside,, after they have hatl their family reunions, s Mr Fraser mentioned that, for security reasons and in the interests of the Safety of the members of the draft, the ships', and their crews, it had been necessary to keep secret the movements of the psrty to the utmpst degree. This had necessitated, withholding information from the hext of kin until very near the eve of arrival, but he was sure; those concerned would not mind this, and would be thankful that the voyage had been safely accomplished. Mr Fraser said the best, possible arrangements under the circumstances had been made for notification of the 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, the Railway Department, shipping companies, and m.anv other organisations arid individuals who had co-operated in the big task. Mr Fraser, in conclusion, said he hoped the members, of the draft who had so well earned! their respite from active campaigning would enjoy their stay'in New Zealand, and that when their furlough came to an end they would rejoin their 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 well-deserved and overwhelming welcome wherever he went.