HOME ON FURLOUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25276, 13 July 1943, Page 4

HOME ON FURLOUGH

MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST ARRIVAL OF LARGE DRAFT (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 12. There were many happy reunions to-day when a large draft of troops from the Middle East, comprising men of the First, Second, and Third Echelons, arrived from overseas. These reunions will be repeated throughout the Dominion during the next few days as the men travel to their home centres. The troops have been brought back to New Zealand on extended furlough of three months, at the conclusion of which they will return to their units overseas. In the selection of the draft preference was given to married men, and the single men included were drawn by ballot. The welcome speeches, carried to the men through a loudspeaker system, were brief and to the point. The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser) said: “We owe you a debt we cannot adequately repay. We hope your furlough will be a happy one.” He paid a tribute to the troops’ deeds, and said that all who had returned deserved the very best the country could place at their disposal. Others who spoke were the chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr T. R. Barrel'), the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), Lieutenantgeneral E. Puttick, Chief of the General Staff, Mr Tai Mitchell, and the Minister of the Armed Forces and War Co-ordination (Mr W. Perry), who expressed the pride of the old Diggers in what the new Diggers had achieved. The master of a transport paid a special tribute, saying: “ You carry a good reputation,' known all over the world—the reputation of brave fighters. I consider it an honour to have brought you home.” Consideration was given to the men’s main desire to get home, and for this reason the day’s programme comprised a long schedule of special trains planned on lines which enabled those living furthest away to start the home journey first. There were three special' trains to Auckland province at intervals throughout to-day, the last leaving at 11 p.m. Special trains also left for the east and west coasts. South Islanders travelled to-night, but they are so numerous that a .second batch had to await another steamer to-morrow. _