Palmerstonian Returns After 14 Years’ Absence

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 237, 7 October 1940, Page 5

Palmerstonian Returns After 14 Years’ Absence

EXCITEMENT IN EARLY STAGE OF VOYAGE “Our voyage out had a sad and exciting beginning and a peaceful and happy ending,” said Mrs. Harley Palmer to a “Times” representative on her arrival in Palmerston North on Friday night.. Mrs. Palmer and her two sons, John and Ivan, aged 12 and 9, left England at the end of August, sailed via Panama and arrived in "Wellington on Friday. For the first two days out from England they were escorted by a largo convoy and crawled along at nine knots an hour. On the second night Mrs. Palmer heard an explosion, but felt certain it wa3 not in their ship. A few minutes later tho steward came into her cabin and told her to put on warm clothes, dress the boys, put on lifebelts and go up into the lounge. A strange assortment of people was there in all stages of dress and undress. All wore calm and quietly faced whatever dangers might be in store fur them. Mrs. Palmer had the added anxiety of losing her elder boy for two hours during that long night of suspense. Ho had gone by mistake to another lounge whcie all the Government evacuees were gathered together. However, he was found before the night was over, and spent tho rest of the vigil in the lounge with his mother. The explosion which Mrs. Palmer heard was tho torpedoing of a ship with children bound for Canada on board, all of whom were saved. This fe hip was iu tho same convoy, and the convoy stopped to rescue the children and other passengers, whilo Mrs. Palmer’s ship was ordered to speed ahead alone on a zig-zag course. She made excellent time to Wellington. The day after tho explosion the passengers were told to i>ack small suitcases with necessities and keep them handv to tako to the lifeboats should there" be another alarm. These cases had to be carried to the daily lifeboat drill. One one such occasion tho captain asked a man passenger where his things were, and the man replied, “Here in my pocket.” He pulled out his pipe. That was all he needed in an

emergency. On board the evacuee children were exceptionally well behaved and had lessons everv dav, besides drill, dancing and piano tuition. Nurses and a doctor travelled with them as well as the Government officials in charge. At Panama American women had arranged to entertain the children for the day, but unfortunately tho boat berthed earlier than was expected and some of the treats they had arranged had to be missed. Mrs. Harley Palmer’s home is in Blackpool and sho said it was considered one of ..the “safe” places like the Lake District. Consequently the holiday season had been in full swing there this summer and one hardly knew there was a war on. The amusements, dance halls and cinemas were crowded. The English school holidays had been cut down to two weeks, and the children were to go to school to do part-time work. This was done to keep the children together. With regard to A.R.P. work, Mrs. Palmer said this was voluntary, and the majority of women had offered their j services. They wero trained to go to the nearest air-raid shelter as soon the warning sounded, see that everything was ready, look after sick cases and casualties and even be prepared to deal with childbirth. At any time these volunteers must be prepared to practise their duties. Mrs. Palmer was told she must pretend to be suffering from tear gas. The ambulance called and she was driven to the first aid post and medically treated. j At school the children are taught to run to the nearest houso when the warning is sounded. Air-raid shelters are generally regarded as satisfactory, although some are cold and damp. Tho most popular one is tho Anderson underground shelter which has proved to be safe and comfortable. The best shelters ! are underground with so much earth on top. Air raid warnings are given by lights cimilar to our traffic lights. A yellow light means “Get Ready” (if there is only one enemy aeroplane no warning is given); a purple light means an aeroplane is approaching; and a red one gives tho unpleasant tiding 3 that it has arrived. Central buildings have these light signals first, and tho police cars also carry them. Motoring on English roads has become an obstacle race. Not only are there no signposts but the roads have barricades evteiy few yards. Tho traffic zig-zags its way between. Everything that can bo is painted white on roads and pavements to case the black-outs. Black-outs are to be strictly observed this winter. A pin-prick of light results in a visit from tho police and if it happens again a fine is imposed. A driver or motorist who loses his way on England’s now mysterious roads is in a sad plight. Pedestrians are cautioned to “ know nothing and tell nothing.” They must give no information to enquiring travellers. At school the children are taught the same strange new lesson, “Know nothing, tell nothing.” On the walls of public buildings on the streets, and even on the ship are pictures of Hitler peeping through tho wall, bearing the sinister words, “Walls have ears.” Every channel of propaganda is used to stop rumours and chatter and to prevent the enemy from collecting clues. Mrs. Palmer said the war feeling in England is “Fight to k finish,” and that particularly the Hitler youth fanaticism must be stamped out. No Food Shortage. With regard to food in England there is no shortage of anything. Tho supply

and organisation are marvellous and no food queues are seen as in the last way. Cooking fats are now rationed at 2ozs. per person per week and 41b. butter. Home-made cakes are out of the question but they can still be bought in shops. English people eat hot puddings in the winter and these may have to be curtailed. No cakes have icing of any sort and eggs are very scarce and expensive. Tea is rationed at 2ozs. per person each week, sugar 41b., and bacon Jib. Discussing the vexed question of evacuee children in England, Mrs. Palmer said in some cases it had been most successful and the children and their wartime parents were still together with no wish to part. Difficulties had arisen mainly because the children had not been thoughtfully selected. I Owing to the continual air raids over [ large towns evacuation was again ’fin progress, and new lists were being made out and selection committees were working on them. The new wartime England has underground factories, women bus and tram conductors, women drivers, a women’s land army, girl tractor drivers and few unemployed. It is more than ever “a tight little island,” and Mrs. Palmer is proud to have belonged to it for about 14 years. Yet she is very happy to be back in New Zealand and in her native town of Palmerston North and especially to live with her sisters, Mrs. B. J. Jacobs and Mrs. J. Grant.