GRIEVANCE FELT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21852, 24 October 1945, Page 6

GRIEVANCE FELT

ARRIVAL OF ANDES RETURNING TROOPS MISSED LABOUR DAY (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 23. "Welcome Home—Except On Labour Day, We Are Going To The Races.” These words painted on a canvas sign which hung over the side of the troopship Andes as she berthed at Lyttelton this morning, expressed the grievance Celt bv returning servicemen aboard the vessel. When tlie Andes left Melbourne at 7 a.in. last Thursday the men expected to reach Lyttelton on Sunday morning. On Friday, however, they were told that there would be no labour available to work the ship a.t Lyttelton on Sunday or Monday and she would, therefore, not berth before this morning.

“We broke the Mauretania’s record from Southampton to Melbourne, doing the trip in 23 days and six hours,” said one soldier, returning to New Zealand after four years in German prison camps.

"We had a day’s leave in Melbourne last Wednesday and left there about 7 a.m. on Thursday. We waddled across the Tasman like a dirty old duck. When it was announced that the Andes would not berth until to-day, he added, everyone became very annoyed. There was much dissatisfaction at what the men considered an unnccossaiy delay.

Pennies and Eggs Thrown on to Wharf As the ship drew alongside the personnel voiced their disapproval. Shouts of “Did you enjoy your holiday yesterday? “How was Labour Day? Are you going to work to-day? tveie addressed to those on the wharf. Showers of pennies, with occasional shillings and half-crowns, were apparently an incentive to those ashoie to do something to the berthing. There were uncomplimentary reference to “wharfies,” although there were none on the jetty. In spite of their gibes, however, the servicemen were m good spirits and there did not seem to be any ical rancour behind their rcmmks. An egg sailed down with one shower of coins before the ship berthed, bu [ailed to register a hit. Shortly after the ship berthed the official party, whicn had gone out to her bv launch, went down the gangway. More eggs fell about some members of this party, but no one was hit. -The date of arrival was fixed lor October 23 at Lyttelton,” said the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F Jones, when the complaints made by the personnel aboard the Andes regarding the slow trip from Melbourne were referred “The ship was brought to Lyttelton instead of Wellington especially to enable the South Island men to get to their homes quickly. She will berm at Wellington to-morrow. “While it is regretted that it has taken a little longer to come across the Tasman, this date was fixed some time and transport arrangements made for it. It would have taken a lot oi trouble to alter the date, and make new transport arrangements.” Date Fixed Some Time Aso

Inquiries made at the Lyttelton Harbour Board and naval offices, the Railwavs Department and Southern Military District headquarters laded to confirm that the Andes s time ot arrival had been postponed because cf the Labour Day holiday. All the officials interviewed said that to-day had been fixed as the date of arrival for some time. The personnel aboard the Ancles plan to make a demonstration in Weilington on arrival to-morrow. One group has prepared a banner which will be displayed when the ship reaches Wellington. It states: “Well clone, Boys. 'Welcome home—except on Sundays and Holidays.” The disembarkation of the 839 personnel for the South Island was carried out according to schedule and when they were clear of the ship the North Island personnel were granted leave until 5 p.m. „ „ , , The Andes arrived off the heads at 5.45 a.m. At G. 30 a.m. an official party, including the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, the Minister of Munitions, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, boarded the ship. Brief speeches cf welcome were made, the Ministers thanking the men for their service and advising them to take the fullest advantage of the rehabilitation service. Tim men for the Christchurch area, the West Coast and the northern part of the South Island were first ashore,^ thentrain reaching Christchurch at 9.25 a.m. The men for Nelson and Marlborough left by bus within a few minutes, while West "Coast personnel left by the express at 10 o’clock. A draft of 384 men for points south of Christchurch left bv special train from Lyttelton, which did not stop at Christchurch. Special trains were provided to bring the North Island personnel to town for their day’s leave. The telegraph and toll counter was the Mecca for most of them, there being a rush to communicate with relatives.