V-E DAY OBSERVANCE

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1945, Page 5

V-E DAY OBSERVANCE

:N..Z. CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN LONDON, May 9. At the New Zealand repatriation centre in Kent, returned men took the news of the victory very calmly for in one respect, they already had their V-E Day. A visit to the centre was, paid by Sir Patrick Duff (who is to succeed Sir H. Batterbee as High Commissioner for Great Britain in New Zealand), with Lady Duff, accompanied by Mr R. M. Campbell, official secretary at New Zealand House. The Duffs and Major General Kippenberger sat on the beds of sick men in the hospital at Haines, and with them listened to Mr Churchill's broadcast. “I wish the parents and relations of the men in New Zealand could have been with us at the centre,” said Sir Patrick, later. “It would have given the men a comfortable feeling of reassurance. Everything possible is being done for the men, and there is no red tape, no parades and the least that is possible in the way of regimentation.” More than 1700 New Zealanders are now being handled at the repatriation centre, and may of them are on leave. Just over 200 men are in the New Zealand hospital, while a further 90 are being cared for in a British hospital, since no more can be accommodated at Haines. It is hoped that all New Zealand prisoners will arrive in England from Germany within a comparatively short time now, and that about 600 men will sail for New Zealand towards the end of this month as a “first shipment.” Both at. the F'ernleaf Club and the New Zealand Forces Club, short services were held and both were crowded to hear Mr Churchill’s speech. The services were taken by Major S. C. Read. The first was in the morning at the Fernleaf Club, and in the afternoon in the main hall of the Forces Club, he again officiated. Mr Jordan read the Lesson and later paid a very warm tribute to the voluntary workers who had given' their time and leisure in the past five years. Mr Holland and Mr Doidge also spoke. The sight of Sergeant Jack Hinton, V.C. holding a large Union Jack which he acquired in Trafalgar Square, and followed by hundreds, marching all the way from the square to the Fernleaf Club in Knightsbridge, where packed crowds stood outside, cheering for the King, Mr Churchill and anybody else they- could think of, will remain one of the brighter memories of V-E Day in London for many New Zealanders. Surrounded by New Zealanders, and followed by civilians and men and women in all types of uniform, Hinton, who recently returned from being a prisoner, thoroughly enjoyed himself and so did the'crowd.

EISENHOWER’S THANKS 0 LONDON, May 8 In a victory order of the day to the men and women, of the Allied Expeditionary Force, General Eisenhower says:— “The crusade on which we embarked -early in the summer of 1944 has reached a glorious conclusion. It is m-v special privilege to commend all of you for a valiant performance of duty. Though these words are feeble, they come from the bottom of a heart overflowing with pride in your loyal service and admiration for your warriors. Your accomplishments at sea, in the air, on the ground, and in the field supply have astonished the world. Even before the final week of the war in Europe you had put 5,000,000 of the enemy out of the-war. You have confused, defeated, and destroyed vour savagely fighting foe. “On the road to victory you have endured every discomfort and privation, and surmounted every obstacle ingenuity and desperation could throw in pour path. You did not pause until our front was firmly joined up- with the great Red Army coming from the east and other Allied forces coming from the south. Full victory in Europe has been attained. Working and fighting together in a single, indestructible partnership, you have achieved a perfection in the unification of air, ground, and naval power _ that wilt stand as a model in our time.” General Eisenhower went on to refer to those who had sacrificed all in the struggle for freedom. He said no monument would so well express the respect and veneration of their memory as would the perptuation of the spirit of comradeship in which they died.

REVOKED IN BRITAIN DEFENCE REGULATIONS RUGBY, May 9. In a statement in the Commons about revocation of defence regulations, Mr Herbert Morrison said he was glad to be able to announce that a large number of defence regulations had been revoked by Order-in-Coun-cil to-day. Five special codes of regulations including fireguard regulations, had been revoked entirely as well as parts of other special codes. Among those revoked were those which contained an exceptional provision relating to trade dispute, regulations relating to systematic publication of matter calculated to foment opposition to the war effort and thoseempowering the Home Secretary to restrict the movement and activities of suspected persons. At the beginning of this week, the release of all persons detained under the defence regulations had been authorised with the exception of one alien who is to be deported, and who is being detained temporarily under the Defence Order. Other regulations which have been revoked include those dealing with the publication of reports likely to cause alarm, or despondency, and those giving special powers for prohibition of processions and meetings. It would of course be clear, said Mr Morrison, that the end of the fighting in Europe was not the end of the war, and that a number of regulations imposed, whether tor secuiity or other reasons, must be retained until the war against Japan had been brought to a successful conclusion. There also remained , consideration the question of such controls as would be the transitional period to ensure the best, use of available supplies and services in the national interest a Bill which would give the House tne opportunity for full cons ]^ e . ;ntrothis question was about to b duced.

GERMAN PRISONERS. TO BE USED~FOR BRITISH BUILDING. ■R O W RUGBY, May 9. B To W assist the budding the Government has decided to use German prisoners ol V a p f Works able numbers, the Mmistei of W ks (Mr Duncan Sandy.s) told Laptam Gammans <Con s ereat > Commons. TJie Mini firgt Sacl Z U road-making and construc&n of site preparation and other engineering votKs priso ners would Asked tne p . n also be used in dean OThey London, Mr S ' but T pre f er to Swentrale on the other works 1 had in view.”