MANY RETURN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 4

MANY RETURN

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS STRATHAIRD BRINGS 3740 CAI-L AT LYTTELTON (P.A.) CHRISTCHUECH, Wednesday The troopship Strathaird, which brought 3740 service personnel back to New Zealand, was met at the Lyttelton Heads by a welcoming party, including the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. The 22,000-ton vessel was unable to dock because she did not have sufficient space in which to turn. Of the total on board, 2117 were for the North Island. There were several wives and fiancees of soldiers, and six former prisoners of war from Italy. The Strathaird sailed with her lights full on after leaving Colombo until she reached New Zealand waters, when the blackout was again imposed. Mr Jones told the men that ibis restriction harl been necessary, because New Zealand waters were still under naval control and all Japanese submarines had not yet been accounted for. A daily newspaper was issued to the troops, and a ship's magazine was also produced on board. The welcoming party went aboard the troopship as she lay in the stream at Lyttelton early this morning. Many of the troops were veterans of the Libyan and North African campaigns. The task of transferring the men by tug and launch from the troopship to wharf and train was carried out expeditiously and without the long delays which have characterised the arrival of other drafts. "Wherever you go all over the world von hear of the magnificent work oi the New Zealand forces," said the .Minister ol' Defence, -Mr Jones, in extending a welcome home to the service men and women. He expressed, on belialt of the Government and people of New Zealand, pride in the exploits of the returning personnel and pleasure at their return to their homes. The Strathaird sailed this afternoon for Wellington, where North Island personnel will disembark tomorrow ingA list of Auckland men who have returned to the Dominion appears on page 3.