WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IX, Issue 145, 5 June 1919, Page 6

WELCOME TO RETURNED SOLDIERS.

[TO THE EDITOR. 1 Sir, —I read a letter in to-night’s paper with reference to this. I think the writer is hardly fair when -he compares the send 'off to the fhoineeoining. When the men left they were paraded and departed in daylight. They arrive home in seven or eight different railway carnages and step on to the platform into a. big crowd in what is almost darkness. Any sort of an official welcome is impossible. T-me Mayor has been present at every train which we have been advised is carrying returned soldiers but I think he is very wise not to attempt any official welcome. The main desire of these men is to get straight home and every one of them is invited free and to bring a lady to the welcome home socials. There were cars there on Saturday night and I think every soldier who wanted one get it although two had to wait until Mr. O'Meara returned for

Ia- second load. Many times I have asked, and people have most kindiy brought cars only to find that relatives had made their own arrange'inents and the cars drove away empty. After this has happened once or twice it takes a lot of effrontery to ask them still again. Neither can the bandsmen be expected to meet, the express at such an inconvenient hour on every occasion. The train is often late and they have to wait about twenty minutes to half an hour. The band was asked to come last Saturday but being Saturday and many of them having businesses to attend to they were unable to come and there was no muster. A\ e do the best w e can but we can’t perform impossibilities. -I am, etc.. A. ROSENBERG. Hastings, June sth. J 919.