BACK FROM THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3201, 21 July 1915, Page 83

BACK FROM THE WAR.

WOUNDED AMO INVALIDS. ARRIVAL OF THE WILLOCHRA. A HEARTY RECEPTION. THRILLING EXPERIENCES. WELLINGTON. July 15. The city was ready, on behalf of itself and the dominion, fittingly to receive the men on the Willochra. Bunting floated from every public building, and every ship in the harbour had streamers of flags. Ihc Town Hall gaily flaunted many long strings of gay flags from every pinnacle, and they also extended down the front of the building and across the street. The day was observed as a holiday for the schools and the public service and for most of the shops and business places generally. Crowds were in the streets an hour before 2 o’clock, and the route was heavily lined al! the way, and the wharfages were laden. The Glasgow wharf was reserved for the next-of-kin of the soldiers, numbering about 2000. As the Willochra rounded the tee of the wharf “Home, Sweet Home” was wafted out to them from a band on the wharf. Then arose great bursts of cheering from the Glasgow wharf, taken up by the crowd on the neighbouring wharf. As the liner came alongside the relatives of the men, in their anxiety to burst the barriers, shouted welcomes as they rushed down the v harf. The arrangements for the procession wore excellent. Soon a long line of motor cars bearing the soldiers was ready to proceed to the Town Hall, headed by the Salvation Army Band. The procession set off through a dense mass of people. . Every vantage point along the route was packed, and the enthusiasm of the crowds was unmistakable. The cheering people waved flags, and here and there flowers were tessed into the motor cars. The men seemed to enjoy the homecoming very much. AT THE TOWN HALL. When all the returned soldiers had entered the Town Hall the Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) addressed them. “Soldiers from the fighting line, and those that have been invalided ’ home,” be said, “to-day marks an epoch in the history of the dominion. On tins memorable occasion, we welcome you back homo, and tender you our admiration and thanks for the fine work done in the interests of New Zealand and of the British Empire. You have heroically engaged the enemy in the fightingline. 1 want to say some words of welcome. I ask you to bear in mind the memory of those who have not been so successful as the soldiers returned today —the, sons of New Zealand who have laid down their lives in the interest of the whole people of the Empire. We should not be unmindful of' v the wives, mothers, and sweethearts of those who have succumbed. All honour to their memory. New Zealand will always respect the memory of those who gave their lives in this great war. We welcome you all home to the most welcome spot in the world. The whole people of New Zealand are receiving you to-day. We are nor here in the name of Wellington only. Your hearty welcome is coming from every man, woman, and child in the country, who will see that those who have offered their lives do not want I have received many messages to give you, and all express the finest appreciation of your work.” Mr Luke then read a telegram from Mr A. M. Myers on behalf of the Mayor of Auckland, welcoming the courageous soldiers who were returning that day. His Excellency the Governor was the next speaker. “Fellow soldiers,” ho said,, “as a soldier my address will be short. As the representative of his Majesty the King, I want to welcome you back to those shores. I speak personally, as a soldier to soldiers. We are all proud of what you have done, and of the name you have earned for New Zealand. You have come back with your minds enlarged and your ideas broadened in respect to matters, men, and peoples. I should like to have a chat with everyone of you. As the Mayor said, the citizens have given you a loyal welcome, not only from the capital citv,' but from every town, village, and district of New Zealand. You have seen the enthusiasm with which they have greeted those who suffered in a righteous cause and for them. We are glad to see you homo once more. I have been on active service, and know what it is to bo homo again. I hope that all in the room will soon bo well again, surrounded as they are with kind relatives and friends. May the best of luck go with you whereever you go. Mr Luke then rose to say that he had omitted to mention the Australian nurses, who had cared for the men on the voyage, and he expressed his appreciation of their good work. , ~ “I am sorry that 1 cannot adorees you as fellow-soldiers,” said the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Mns*ey). I can only say, soldiers of the King, that I join with the Mayor and the Governor in a hearty welcome to you all. We on the platform speak for the whole country, individually and collectively, and extend the heartiest welcome that it is possible to convey. Only a few months ago you wore sent off from this city, and it was predicted that you would do your duty, end do credit to vourselvos and us. You have done all these —(applause) —and have not been found wanting. You have proved yourselves good men and good soldiers, worthy descendants of vour ancestors, who, under the great captains of past years, founded the Empire that we are bound to protect. You went away gay, bright-faced, and happy. You have come back gay, but battle-scarred—-joara to which you will bo able to point

at some future day as received when Germany tried to smash Great Britain, preserved by the courage and heroism of her soldiers and the self-sacrifice and patriotism of her citizens. The battle of Gallipoli will go down in history as one in which our soldiers fought against great odds. When, the war came New Zealand took up the burden of Empire, and she will never lay it down. We mourn, and will never cease to mourn, for the fallen. Our sympathies go out to their relatives, but we will light on till the war end® and a peace is proclaimed that ia satisfactory to Great Britain and her Allies. That is the position. Wo do honour to the brave men fighting for us on the other side of the world. I endorse what the Mayor said about the nurses. I went on board and spoke to the men, who spoke of them in the highest possible terras. They were glad to get home, but they were sorry to leave Ihc ship and the nurses. I thank the nurses on behalf of the country for taking such good care of our men, and when the war is over and their duty done I hope they will cast in their lot with New Zealand. I say to the soldiers in conclusion : You have come back to your country and your friends, and I wish you many years of health and happiness.” The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Mr Allen) read a telegram of congratulation from the Mayor of Hokitika. “1 have not many words to say,” he said. “I am glad to see the wounded men back again, and would that you could come home without wounds. I am sure yon wish that you were rid of your wounds and back again in the trenches. I know.how the parents and next-of-kin feel in welcoming you back. We join in this welcome, I am grateful to the captain \ and crew of the Willochra, as well as to the nurses who brought you back in safety. Captain Neville’s cheery manner must have done you all good. I hope that those who have come back will settle down. Some may have an opportunity again to serve the country, and Ibis time I hope they will return without wounds. I wish you all a good time, and can fully understand your parents’ gratification in having you home again.” Sir Joseph Ward was received with a tremendous burst of applause, which continued for some time. He said: “1 do want, from the depths of my heart, to extend a warm welcome to the men who have returned to Now Zealand to-day. The one feeling swaying the dominion from end to end is of profound pride in the work her men have done. This is the most glorious epoch in the history of New Zealand. The representative of the King, the head of the Government, Ministers of the Crown, members of Parliament, the Mayor, and citizens have assembled to pay a tribute to the soldiers’ work. What has occurred will never be effaced in our history. The deeds performed at Gallipoli, in my opinion, stand unrivalled in the history of the war.-(Ap-plauso.) It is a supreme joy and satisfaction that New Zealand feels in welcoming brave New Zealanders who have fought and returned. We regret that some of their comrades have fallen, but we feel that these men are not only a credit to New Zealand but to themselves. They will leave their individual mark for the future youths to see, by reference to them, the grand way in which they discharged their duty and added to the traditions of their forefathers. We recognise that blood has been spilt, but it has not been spilt in vain. We have put our hands to the plough, and will not desert till freedom and liberty are obtained. I want to pay a tribute to the nurses. Eighty wounded men were carried on to the Willochra, but only 15 were carried off. The energy of the nurses and the physique of the New Zealanders have enabled them to work successfully .on these specimens of the human race. I hope that the men, on their return, will find their dear ones ahve and well to welcome them, and that the wounded will be soon restored to health. I wish them long and happy lives. Their great work on behalf of the Empire will ever be remembered.” —(Applause.) Throe resounding cheers were given for the soldiers at the call of the Mayor, and the men themselves gave three cheers for the Australians.