GENTLEMEN ALL!

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 May 1938, Page 7

GENTLEMEN ALL!

N.Z. EX-SOLDIERS’ RETURN SYDNEY’S GREAT HOSPITALITY [pus PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, May 2. With flags flying, the Maunganui and Monowai returned to-day with 1400 exsoldiers, who had participated in the Anzac Day celebrations-at Sydney. The return trip was. uneventful, and there was good weather all the way. “The men were a very fine lot., every one a thorough gentleman,” said an officer on the Monowai.

The two ships crossed the Tasman in company, the Maunganui slightly astern of the Monowai and were in sight of each other most of the way, a slight haze in the last two days obscuring them at times. Between 30 and 40 men returned by the Awatea, which also arrived from Sydney to-day. Only one man missed the troopships at Sydney, but he was not much later than his comrades in arriving here, for he returned by the Awatea.

Mr. Vincent Ward, a member of the contingent, who returned by the Monowai, said the trip was memorable. and historic, being marked by some indefinable spirit which was in everybody's heart. Never once did he heai- a growl or complaint or bad word spoken. One digger lost his wallet in the crowd at Wellington and when this was known, everyone aboard subscribed to refill it. Describing the march to the Cenotaph in Martin’s Place,, after the arrival in Sydney, Mr. Ward said: “We were all proud of one another,, and of New Zealand, we marched well and we looked well in dark suits and grey hats and all wearing the same tie of silver and black. Thousands of Australians, intermingled with New Zealanders, seemed to take us to their hearts and cheered and clapped as we marched along.” Mr. Ward also said that as hosts, the Australians were truly magnificent. They showed their national characteristics and every New Zealander received hospitality and goodfellowship far beyond all expectations.

Mr. Ward described the scenes on Anzac Day as wonderful, and said the days that followed Anzac Day were days they would always carry with them, as a pleasant dream. The sendoff at Sydney was on a par with everything else that was crowded into five wonderful days. H.e was satisfied that no previous event in our history had done more to bring about an understanding between Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Ward said that the Australian police were comrades all not only for New Zealand men, but the Australians too. On Anzac afternoon they could be seen playing two-up with the boys. “I saw one wheeling a digger in a wheelbarrow to his ship. Only once did I see a fight, and an Australian lady said, ‘Boys, you should not fight, but kiss and be friends,’ and they did.” This morning, Mr. Perry placed a wreath on the war memorial, on behalf of the Australian ex-servicemen.