RETURNING SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9095, 14 July 1915, Page 8

RETURNING SOLDIERS

RECEPTION OF THE INVALIDED MEN. In the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr T. M. Wiltord (Hutt) again brought up the question of the reception of the 'wounded men being brought hack to tho Dominion by the Willochra. He hoped that the Prime Minister would put his foot down on any proposal for a luncheon or tea in the cold and cheerless Wellington Town Hall, but would declare a half-holiday, and invite tho public of the city to roll up and give the men a real British welcome. His own suggestion was that tho public should be allowed on certain portions of the wharf, under proper control, and that someone should lead the cheering. He did not wish to see anything in the nature of a public parade. Mr J. Hanan (Invercargill): ‘‘The men might be driven through the streets.”

Mr Massey said that he was surprised to hear Mr Wilford say that the Town Hall was a cold and cheerless place. , Mr Wilford: “That is my experience.”-

Mr Massey; “It is not mine.” Mr J. T. M. Hornsby (Wairarapa): “You often found it hot enough.” (Loud laughter.) Mr Wilford: “Wo don’t want the men to get the reception you got there.”

Mr Massey: “The last time I was in the Town Hall I had an excellent reception-.” He did not know what kind of refreshments was to be given to the men, but he hoped they would get something. He agreed that a half-holiday should bo observed, but he did not know whether the boat would be in in the morning or the afternoon. PERMITS TO GO ABOARD.

Mr A. B. Glover (Auckland Central) suggested to the Minister for Defence that in the case of relatives who could not meet tho Willochra, authorised persons should bo allowed to take their place in interviewing tho returned troops, especially when they were in possession of letters containing messages.

Mr Allen said there would he no trouble in getting permits to go aboard in such cases. FREE RAILWAY PASSES.

In reply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Minister for Defence promised to consult tho Minister for Railways as to granting passes to relatives of wounded soldiers aboard tho Willochra. NO INFORMATION—A WIFE’S COMPLAINT.

Mr J. Craigie (Timaru) read a letter he had received from a Timaru woman who had been asked if she was willing to receive her husband, who was returning among the invalided soldiers on the Willochra. The wife had been unable to ascertain what was the condition of her husband, and she wrote that as she had five children she could not undertake to nurse her husband if he was incapacitated. She asked Mr Craigie to ascertain what was the nature and extent of her husband’s injury. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes said there appeared to be a misunderstanding- The Government was ready and willing to provide hospital or convalescent treatment for all the returning soldiers, but it has asked the next-of-kin in each case if they desired to receive the convalescent men. No home need receive a sick man if facilities were lacking. WELCOMING THIS MEN. In answer to a question from Mr Payne, the Minister for Defence said that the Willochra would lie - in the stream for some hours after her arrival, while a medical examination was conducted. Men who required hospital treatment would be cared for by the Minister for Public Health, who would arrange for a special train to carry the invalids to the northern districts. The Minister would endeavour to send each man to the hospital in his own district. As Tar as the convalescents were concerned, the Mayor of Wellington had made suggestions for a ceremony of welcome. Mr Wilford: “The lunch in the Town Ball?” Mr Allen: “ There will be a ceremony in the Town Hall.” Mr Wilford : “It is ridiculous.” Mr Allen said he was not prepared to ask the men to parade the streets. Provision would be made for the admission of parents and wives to the Town Hall, tickets being issued by the Minister for Public Health.