FORMER SOLDIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22823, 2 September 1937, Page 13

FORMER SOLDIERS

SYDNEY VISIT PLAN LARGE CONTINGENT INVITED PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS Preparations arc at present being made for a proposed trip to Sydney next April of a large party of New Zealand returned soldiers. Earlier this year an invitation was received by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association from Mr. A. L. Robb, State president of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial. League of Australia, Sydney, for a contingent of up to 1000 former members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to visit the city during the celebration of the sesquicentennial of New South Wales and, in particular, to head tlie march of exservicemen on Atizae Day.

Preliminary details, subject to confirmation, have now been sent to all Dominion associations by the executive committee of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association. Quotas have been fixed and preliminary lists opened. Auckland's allotment is 118. Already applications aro coming in in each centre.

On condition that the vessel is filled, the Union Steam Ship Company has agreed to make the Maunganui available. The ship has accommodation for 492, together with an additional 200 in hammocks between decks. It is proposed to leave Wellington on April 19, arrive at Sydney on April 23, leavo again on April 28 and reach Wellington on May o.

Advice lias been received from Sydney that no difficulty should be experienced in arranging billets for members of the party who desire to have such accommodation.

All who are accepted for the trip will be required to pay a deposit of one-third of the fare on acceptance, which will be notified 011 November 15 of this year. Tho visit is for ex-mem-bers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force only and selection will be restricted to financial members of the affiliated Returned Soldiers' Association branches, preference being given to men with the longest period of membership. Application has been made to the New Zealand Government for free rail transport to and from Wellington.