RETURNED SERVICEMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 July 1943, Page 4

RETURNED SERVICEMEN

MR. FRASER’S ANNOUNCEMENT j FURLOUGH AND ALLOWANCES WELLINGTON, July 10. The Prime Minister 1 (Mr. Fraser) announced to-day thaij the Government was very pleased to welcome home a large draft ofi officers, men, and nurses who had been brought back to the Dominion on. extended furlough. Mr. Fraser sajd that as soon as it became evident Shat the campaign in North Africa vas drawing to a successful close negotiations were opened with General Frey berg andthe United Kingdom Government for the return to the Diminion of as many members -as possible of the First, Second and Thirl Echelons, and their transportation to 1 New Zealand. The Government wes very pleased it had been possible to make arrangements for such a large proportion of the first three echelon 1 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 n.c.o.’s and specialists who could not all be spared at the one time, this had been dbae. Single men included in the draft'were selected by ballot. The Kiwi Concert Party had accompanied the; draft for the entertainment of the troops. When the members of this celebiated party had had a short period o’ leave, they would reassemble and tour New Zealand, giving public concerts, the proceeds of which would go to the national patriotic funds. I: had 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 :n those countries.

Mr. Fraser added that it was hoped the future operations of the Second New Zealand Division and other circumstances would permit the extension of the furlough scheme to othermen with long service, particularly the remaining members of the first three echelons. Officers and otherranks in this first furlough party were being granted extended furlough on full pay and allowances together with a free pass on the railways during the furlough period. In the case of married men (including those who may marry during furlouga) the railway pass will include wives. On the termination of the furlough the men will return to their units Overseas.

DISTRICT PARADES Mr. Fraser said the best possible arrangements under the circumstances had been made for the notification of next-of-kin and he hoped 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 Railways Department, shipping companies and many other organisations and individuals who had co-operated in the big task. He hoped the members of the draft who had so well earned a respite from active campaigning would enjoy their stay in New Zealand, and that when the furlough came to an end they would rejoin the 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.

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 were no facilities ashore for the rationing and quartering of 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 men belonging to other parts of New Zealand. Bearing in mind that the men as well as their relations and friends, would desire that the men should get to their homes with the least possible delay, it was decided not to hold a parade in Wellington, but to leave functions of this nature to be held in the very near future in the cities and towns where the men reside after they have had their family reunions. 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 necssary to keep secret the movements of the party to the utmost degree. This had necessitated withholding information from the next-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.

GOVR.-GENERAL’S MESSAGE

WELLINGTON, July 12

The Governor-General sent the following message to Brigadier Kippenberger, and all ranks of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force returning to the Dominion on furlough: “As you are so soon to be separated, I am taking the earliest opportunity of sending this message of welcome to you. All arrangements are being made for you to reach your homes, where a great, welcome is awaiting you, as quickly as possible, and although I shall have no chance of seeing you all together, 1 hope to see many of you while you are in New Zealand. We are all very proud of you and very grateful. You have added fresh lustre to the fair name of your country and Empire. The fame of your valour in Greece, Crete, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia will live in history. After the King’s visit to North Africa, last month, His Majesty sent the following message: ‘lt was a source of deep regret to me that I did not have the opportunity of seeing the New Zealand troops who have fought so magnificently in the recent campaign.’ ”

“I hope,” continued the GovernorGeneral, “that you will all find your families and your friends well, and I wish each one of you every happiness during your well-earned furlough.” The welcome speeches, carried through a loud speaker system, were brief and to the point. Mr Fraser said: “We owe you a debt we cannot adequately repay, and hope your furlough will be happy. He paid a tribute to their deeds and said that all who had returned deserved the very best the country could place at their disposal. Others who spoke were the Chairman of the Harbour Board, the Mayor, Litut.-General Puttick’ Mr Tai Mitchell, and Mr Perry, who expressed the pride of the old Diggers in what the new Digger had achieved.

The Master of the transport paid a special tribute. He said: “You carry a good reputation, and are known all over the world as brave fighters. I consider it an honour to have brought you home.”

WELLINGTON’S WELCOME WELLINGTON, July 12. Bronzed fit, smiling exuberantly, and glad to be back, some thousands of the mam body of New Zealand soldiers, to-day, returned on a wellearned furlough fresh from active service on the North African fronts The soldiers left New Zealand with he first, second and third echelons

and the fourth, fifth and sixth brigades. All the married men were given leave, and the quota had been made up of single men from these echelons, who decided their lot by ballot. The weather was a typical Wellington Midwinter day, with a cold southerly drizzle beating in from the sea, but it did not in any way dampen the enthusiasm of those who streamed to the wharf to greet friends and relaions. Once the word got around that the ship had arrived and the soldiers were coming off, a veritable pilgrimage started, and if the soldiers were glad to be back, their folk were doubly so. People shouted themselves hoarse as they picked out a familiar face on the packed deck of the transport, and the excitement grew as the men began to come off with packs. Personal greetings were touching and emotion was given free play as husbands, sons and fathers - were embraced in the rain. They stopped anywhere in the middle of the road; little groups of people who had found each other again. Passers-by smiled indulgently and hurried on to seek their own kith and kin. It was the day of days, a reward for years of hope and prayers and patient longing. The National Patriotic Board has asked Provincial Patriotic Councils to issue scarves and mittens to those of the returning draft who require them when they arrive at their destinations. WEST COAST MEN. The West Coast members of the contingent of soldiers who are returning home on furlough from overseas will arrive in Greymouth by the express to-morrow afternoon. This announcement was made this morning by the Minister of Marine, Mr. O’Brien, who was advised to that effect by the Acting Minister of Defence (Mr. Fraser).