TROOPS WELCOMED

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1943, Page 2

TROOPS WELCOMED

SCENES IN GREYMOUTH PUBLIC ENTHUSIASM Greymouth enthusiastically welcomed district members of the 2na N.Z.E.F., who returned by the ex-? press, yesterday, on furlough irorn the Middle East, after absences of up to three years and a-hall, in perfect weather, a contrast to tire conations at Wellington and Chiistchurch, thousands of assembled at the Railways Station and lined the route from the station to the intersection of Mackay and Tainui Streets, while flags of all> descriptions were flown from in Mackay Street and across the road, one line reading “Welcome in the international code. As the ex press drew into the station the whistles of numerous engines in tne station yards joined in the cheers ol the crowds. The platform was roped off, allowing next-of-kin to meet their illations first, while the men were also informally greeted by an official iexception committee including tne Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), Mi J. O’Brien (Minister of Transport), Captain A. R. Curtis (A.A.0.), members of the Red Cross Society, R.S. ~ and others. Members of the R.0.a., including men from the present wai, formed a guard of honour at the entrance to the platform, and through this the men went to the waiting cars, while children from the various schools in the Borough formed a further guard of honour along Mac Kay Street. At the call of the Mayor cheers were given lor the men as they left the train, and as the procession of cars moved slowly alone, Mackay Street cheer after checi, mingled with the shouted greetings of friends, was raised. The procession was led by the Greymouth Highland Pipe Band and the Greymouth Municipal Band played selections at the station. The cars dispersed to their different destinations on reaching tne intersection of Mackay and Tainui Streets. , All along the line from Arthur s Pass to Greymouth the train was met by groups of people welcoming the men back to the Coast. Many relations met the men at the Pass, and from Otira down there was a welcome for them at all stations. At Stillwater there was a large attendance, including representatives of the Brunner and Greymouth Red Cross Societies, while at Brunner and Dobson the school children were assembled. The Mayor of Brunner, Mr J. Smeaton, was also present at Wallsend. TTr , . The soldiers returning to Westport left the train at Stillwater and proceeded to their home town by railcar, while the Hokitika and South Westland members of the party continued on by train from Greymouth. The Grey district men will be accorded a civic welcome at the Town Hall this evening, and afterwards will be entertained, with their next-of-kin, in the rooms recently vacated by the Library. Captain A. R. Curtis, to-day, expresed his appreciation of the orderly behaviour of the crowd at Greymouth. He said they had shown marked consideration for the next-of-kin and had facilitated the quick despatch of the men to their homes. Servicemen on furlough will be admitted free, with one friend, to both picture theatres in Greymouth this evening and to-morrow and Friday evenings.

REEFTON’S RECEPTION

The Reefton members of the re-cently-returned furlough draft were accorded a welcome at Reelton Railway Station. Over 300 citizens met at the station, and as the double unit rail-car drew into the platform, rousing cheers were given. The platform mid station precincts were crowded, and the crowd sang iustily “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” The County Chairman. Councillor W. Hempseed, members of the Reefton Patriotic Committee, County Councillors and members of the Returned Services’ Association attended, and after greeting friends, the men were quickly carried to their homes. Each soldier and his relatives were 'provided with , a car, and the column traversed Buller. Road, Bridge Street and Broadway on its way through the town. Reefton Patriotic Committee provided additional refreshments and cigarettes for uhe men north of Raefton • to Westport and beyond. An official welcome will be tendered the men by Reefton citizens on Thursday. WESTPORT’S ENTH USIASM WESTPORT, July 13. Believed to be the largest ever assembled in Westport, a crowd including the Boys’ Band welcomed Buller’s contingent home from the Middle East this evening. Scenes of the greatest enthusiasm prevailed as the rail-car entered the station and the men steeped oil on to the platform. A hearty welcome was also extended to'Sister Rooney after her lengthy service in Greece, Crete, and Eg.ypi. it being recalled that she has been mentioned in despatches.

AT AUCKLAND , AUCKLAND, July 13. In two special trains, Auckland members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force furlough draft reached the city late this afternoon and this evening. Earlier a trainload for North Auckland passed through. The crowd besieged the station and there were scenes of wild excitement and moving family reunions. There was no official reception, the occasion being made a purely personal and family one. The men were quickly motored to their homes. JOBS IN NEW ZEALAND OAMARU, July 13. That members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, at present on furlough from the Middle East, should be given the opportunity o.l: taking positions in New Zealand (in or out of the Army) at present held by category A reservists, who would thus be released for service overseas, was the unanimous decision of the Oamaru Returned Services' Association at its monthly meeting this evening. The Dominion executive of the association was asked to take up the question with the Government.

Strong criticism was expressed by members of the men who allegedly held “cushy” jobs in the Army as well as in civil life, and it was stated that it was “a glorious opportunity to get on to” men holding what were described as “sheltered” positions. The proposal was introduced by Mr J. Mayfield, who, after making the above statement, said it was the best argument the association had ever had for “getting at” the shirkers. There could be no question of manpower shortage, as the soldiers on furlough could release the category A men in the Dominion for service overseas.

Captain A. T. McMurtrie, a returned man of the present war, said that the men now in the Dominion were only on furlough, and would be returning overseas. They might not. want to remain in’ the country, he said.

Mr Mayfield: What about the married men?

Captain McMurtrie: I know of men who, if they had the opportunity, would go back immediately, Mr .Mayfield: That may be so, but the married men who have returned

should be given the opportunity of remaining. Their places could be filled by fit men at present exempted because they are holding down soil ■*°Mr Mayfield then moved: “That men, preferably married men, who have served overseas, and are home on privilege leave, should be given the opportunity, if they so desire, of taking positions and so release fit men for service overseas.” The motion . was carried unanimously. “NOT TIRED SOLDIERS” “Almost before the ink is dry on this issue we who have been so closely linked will find ourselves spread far and wide over New zoealand,” states the editorial ol tne final issue of the newspaper published on the troopship by members ol the New Zealand. Division returning from the Middle East. “Though it will be a joyful parting—for it brings us back to those who have long waited lor us —there will be the pang of breaking an association which has lasted toi three years. Though many of us may return to service overseas it may be to new units and fresh faces. We have faced good times and bad together and we know the joy of working as a team. Sometimes the going has been tough, but not a single one of us regrets that he —or she—‘joined up’ in 1939 or 1940. There is still work to do and we are ready—and we are not “tired soldiers.” The editorial also bids good-bye to the New Zealanders’ shipmates, the crew, who had been good comrades. “May they, with us, see speedy victory—and home.”