FIT PERSONNEL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23258, 20 July 1945, Page 4

FIT PERSONNEL

Returning Drafts Arrangements For Reception Statement By Defence Minister I (N.Z.P.A.I WELLINGTON, July 19. Arrangements for the reception of returning drafts of fit personnel of the Second N.Z.E.F. and their movement to their homes were explained by the Minister oi Detent e (the Hon. F. Jones) in a statement issued to-day. The Minister said it was the aim of the Army that the men should be transported io their homes as quickly as possible. The steps taken by the Army would vary according to the size of the draft, the route taken in the journey to New Zealand and the port of disembarkation. If the ship called at an Australian I port. Mr Jones said, it was usual to send to Australia a parly which, dur- | ing the final stages of the voyage, would complete the organisation for disembarkation so that as soon as the ship berthed the troops were ready to start the journey home. If the ship did not call at an Australian port the normal procedure was for the mon to pass through the wharf shed, which meant an unavoidable increase in the time taken to handle the draft. The order

in which the men disembarked was dependent on connections with train and steamer services, but when possible local men were disembarked first. Mr Jones said that until Japan was defeated it was not possible, for security reasons, to give next-of-kin notice of the exact day and time of arrival of a draft. The Army sympathised with the natural desire of next-of-kin to meet drafts when they reached New Zealand, but as no information could be given in advance, relatives could have only rumour to guide them and might be complete!.? misled. They were advised not to try to make their way to rumoured ports of arrival. Further, where special troop trains were arranged no provision could be made on them for civilians. Other men travelled direct by motor transport from the ship’s side. Relatives might miss seeing their men at the port, but might not be at their homes to welcome the men when they reached them. The arrangements made to deliver each soldier to his home included the arranging of meals, and transport, schedules had to be carefully walked out. Unless all the troops travelled by the means provided, delay in providing facilities at a later date might be unavoidable, and men who failed to tak 0 advantage of the means of transport provided might lose some of their leave through failing to report for their medical boarding on the arranged date. Tlie Minister added that if persons other than those whose presence was required were admitted to the wharves,: the arrangements would be seriously 1 delayed. At each port of disembarkation the Army provided for the local next-of-kin to meet f'eir men as soon as they left the wharf and for motor transport to take the men and their relatives to their homes. A similar arrangement was made at all detraining stations. Official welcomes were short to prevent any delay in returning the men Io I heir homes.