THE TASMAN FLIERS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 152, 14 September 1928, Page 3

THE TASMAN FLIERS.

AT HOME WITH DIGGERS. (Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 13. All the members of the crew of the Southern Cross are ex-servieemen, the Navy, Army and Air Force being represented and their intense popularity with New Zealand returned soldiers was demonstrated by the enthusiasm that prevailed at a smoke concert given in their honor by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association last night. Squadron-Leader Kingsford-Smith. R.A.F., replying to the welcome, said: “Mr President and Fellmv Diggers, it is a very proud moment in our lives to-night, believe me.” (Applause). “This is the first occasion that we have talked to our own kith and kin, and I can tell you we’re proud of being Diggers.” Ivingsford-Smith added that they were proud of the welcome that Christchurch had given them. They appreciated being regarded as heroes. “We’re not heroes,” he remarked. “We are not of the hero type. The night before last when we had a hit of trouble crossing the Tasman I can assure you I had the wind up worse than I’d ever had when in France, and I had the wind up there a few times.” “Smithy and I are Australians and latch—well he’s got to admit that lie’s Australian too.” Flight-Lieutenant Ulm added that they had two good men with them on the trip to Australia, but they now had two equally good men, and without them they could not have got over the Tasman the night before last or whenever il was. (Laughter). He did not regard himself as a hero. He was a hero when he landed on Gallipoli, hut if it hadn’t been for the water behind him he would have been running yet. (Renewed laughter).