GALLIPOLI VETERANS.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13940, 25 July 1917, Page 1

GALLIPOLI VETERANS.

PLEAFOR a lengthy furlough I!ETUI?NED SOLDIERS MOVING. AUCKLAND, July,23. An appeal for furlough for veterans of Gallipoli who are still on activo service was made by several'speakers at a gathering of the returned men of tho Auckland Mounted Rifles on Saturday evening. With regard to the statement of Sir James Allen that he doubted if the remnant of the Main Body would accept relief if it were offered to them, several troopers who have not long been „back from Sinai Peninsula said the Minister's opinion was not correct, .It was emphatically asserted tliaj worn-out men of tho "Old Brigade "j,would gladly welcome the opportunity of coming home to-see their friends and have a rest at home away from the sand and discomforts which they have endured with such cheerful courago for nearly three years, The remnant, they maintained, was now /<o small that its transportation home presented no insurmountable difficulties. Several discharged soldiers, expressed the opinion that sufficient volunteers might be found among returned soldien to relieve the Gallipoli veterans-, but doubt on this point was qxpressod by Mr Andrews, who said that 200 members of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association had already enlisted, thereby reducing the number of those who have recovered from their wounds to be lit for active service again,

Finally a resolution was carried strongly urging the Minister of defense to allow the remnant of the Gallipoli f.orce to return to New Zealand on nix months' furlough, those present pledging themselves to endeavour to obtam is many volunteers as possible among he returned soldiers to help to form a relief force. The secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association annonncedj 'lint he would open a list for the names ii returned men willing to re-enlist in 'i relief force, and one or two of those present declared their intention ef joining this if it were sanctioned.