HOME AGAIN

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 4

HOME AGAIN

SOLDIERS FROM MIDDLE EAST RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS PRAISED 'Warm praise has been bestowed—a great deal of it by the soldiers themselves—upon the efficient manner in which the reception of the men on furlough from the Middle East was carried out in Dunedin yesterday. The arrangements were made by the local Army authorities in consultation with the civic and other authorities concerned, and though adjustments had to bo made at the last minute, owing to the arrival of the men being delayed, the plans prepared worked admirably—a tribute to all concerned in their making. ' " Dunedin certainly rose to the occasion," said one of the men on furlough. " and though our chief concern was to get to our homes as quickly as possible without any fuss, we deeply appreciated the excellent arrangements which were made for our reception. We were delighted to see so many people turn out to give us" such a grand welcome. Naturally the men who had been away so long were keyed up to a considerable pitch of excitement—though it was suppressed as much as possible—as our train neared our home town and the reunion with our people came closer. AVe were all glad—thanks to the arrangements made—that we were able to leave for our homes within a surprisingly short time after our arrival. All those who were concerned in the reception, and the people who provided cars to drive us home, did us a good turn, which we much appreciate." Of particular value to the men coming to the ctiy was a paper well prepared by the Army headquarters in Dunedin, a copy being handed to each soldier on the" train by officers who boarded it at Oamar-u. This paper informed the men of the reception arrangements, and provided them with information which will be useful to them during their furlough here, while on the other side was a sketch plan of the railway station and Anzac Square indicating' how the men would board motors to proceed to their homes. A special order issued some days before by the Army had advised all those concerned of the arrangements for the reception. The only hitches that occurred yesterday were at Mosgiel and Green Island. At both places men belonging to the districts were expected to be a'board the first train which was carrying men for south of Dunedin, but unfortunately most of them were on the second train which brought the Dunedin men. They were despatched to their homes later by motor cars. Next of kin and mem'bers of the public who waited at the stations at Mosgiel and Green Island' were naturally very disappointed. . What happened was no fault of the Army or other authorities in Dunedin, the men having been grouped on trains under arrangements made in the north. FREE TRAM TRAVELLING. The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) stated this morning that it had been decided to grant free tram travelling facilities to men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. on furlough from overseas provided they were in uniform and wearing the " New Zealand " insignia on their shoulder tabs. CIVIC WELCOME. A civic welcome i.v to be accorded all returned soldiers of the present war and their immediate relatives by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and City Council in the Main Town Hall on Tuesday night next. This will give the men an opportunity not only of meeting the citizens, but. of becoming acquainted or reacquainted with each other. The programme will consist of danciiig and'musical items, and supper will be served in the Concert Chamber. The offer of Mr Joe Brown to organise the entertainment portion of the evening and supply the music has been accepted, and the proceedings will extend from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. During the evening a short address of welcome will be delivered by the Mayor. Members of the general public will be admitted to the gallery. MOSGIEL DISAPPOINTED. The Mayor of Mosgiel (Mr AA 7 . P. Hartstouge), following advice from the authorities, made arrangements for a welcome to the Mosgiel section of soldiers returning yesterday, but only two of the men expected arrived, and there was much disappointment among all concerned.

Strong dissatisfaction was expressed by the mayor in his remarks at the station regarding the breakdown of the arrangements. He stated that the town clerk (Mr Rogers) was advised by the authorities to make arrangements for cars to transport the relatives to the Mosgiel railway and return with the. men who would be detraining at Mosgiel. These arrangements were duly made. Fn addition, the Taieri Highland Pipe Band turned out. while the traffic section of the Home Guard had several members at the station-, 'which had been suitably decorated. The mayor and councillors, the chairman, secretary, and committee of the Returned. Services' Association, "the county clerk (Mr S. Riach), the next of kin, and many friends assembled to welcome the men. The train arrived with two men only, and the relatives of the missing men had therefore -to return home disappointed. The men arrived at Dunedin by a later train, and were taxied to Mosgiel from •that. station. Apparently these men were, through some mistake, put aboard a wrong train at Christchurch. Tliis was poor recompense for the relatives who had waited at Mosgiel railway station and to all who had so kindly assisted in making the arrangements to welcome the men who had seen three years' service overseas. Mr Hartstonge expressed the hope that those responsible would in future see that arrangements were properly carried out. At a meeting of the Soldiers' Entertainment Committee last night it was decided to tender a public welcome to all men returned from overseas, including those who arrived yesterday, on August 12. Green [sland had also prepared to meet soldiers expected by the first train, and there was a large' gathering at the station of next of kin, civic representatives. K.P.S., and Home Guard.. Fourteen cars were ready to take the men to their homes. People waited for over two hours, and then it was learned that the Green Island men had arrived on the second train at Dunedin and been despatched to their homes bv cars from the city.