100,000 People Welcome the Achilles

Camp News, Volume 1, Issue 12, 1 March 1940, Page 2

100,000 People Welcome the Achilles

Upwards of 100,000 people of all ages assembled in Queen Street and adjacent vantage points to greet Captain Parry and his men as they marched to a civic reception at the Town Hall, Auckland, on Friday last. As many said, lor once Auckland let itself go.” Their greetings and cheeis were not restricted to the Achilles’s men, for the officers and ratings of othei naval units, soldiers from Papakura, who are to fight for the Empire on land, men who are to wage war in the air, and officers, seamen and stewardesses of the mercantile marine who preceded them in the triumphal procession through the flag-decked street were equally acknowledged as valiant front-rankers in the fight.

The Achilles’s immediate purpose in returning to Auckland is to refit after having spent 168 days at sea. Having given to-day public celebrations of a notable victory, her men may have a few days of well-earned shore leave before the cruiser moves over to Devonport dockyard and becomes once again a vessel whose movements must remain secret.

sure to be waiting on the dockyard berth. Six months ago, no officer or man in his widest dreams could have foreseen such a homecoming as that of last Friday, when, with sirens shrieking, flags fluttering, and aeroplanes circling head Auckland welcomed home the ship and metaphorically garlanded her with the laurels •of victory. Even dearer to the hearts of the Achilles’s

In her years on the New Zealand Station the Achilles had entered the Waitemata scores of times, slipping in quietly, as is the Navy’s way. It was the same whether she had been steam- ; ing. far out among the Pacific atolls i or had merely carried out exercises in the Gulf. Her company never ex- i pected much public notice. It was ; enough for them that after a long ’ cruise sweethearts and wives were <

ti . - ten must have been the signal flown It. the Devonport Naval Base, Manoeuvre well executed,” and the leers of their comrades as they teamed past. CIVIC WELCOME. Speaking on behalf' of the Prime linister, Mr. Savage, the Government nd people of New Zealand, Mr. Eraser extended a hearty welcome to Mie ship’s company at the civic recepon. He said that, knowing officers “id men, it was expected that they mould live up to the very highest tractions of the Royal Navy, but in this j/eat battle they had exceeded anyypng that could have been expected I ther by enemy or friend. yMr. Fraser read cables from the Government and the Govern-j-’opfSnt of the Commonwealth of Aus--ilia joining in the welcome. ■—‘A feeling of pride swept through !a ' C ance when news of the victory off River Plate was known,” said M. b ‘uquet, Consul for France, who said ance shared in the admiration for exploit. He said that France had nr _ ■ forgotten the soldiers of New . aland, who had endeared themselves the inhabitants of her towns and lages 25 years ago. “This battle is another proof of what New Zeastill can do and will do. They njjan business,” added M. Pouquet. - lid loud applause. ; K*

|(A cablegram received that morning y Captain Parry from the French inister of Marine, M. Campinchi, fas translated and read by M. Poulet as follows: “The French Navy fares the enthusiasm of the Royal avy of New Zealand when the miser Achilles returned to its base. U' .

It is glad to send to the captain, officers and ship’s company its expression of deep admiration for the magnificent victory off the River Plate.” CHEERS FOR CAPTAIN. As Captain Parry rose to speak, saluting the crowd, there were loud cheers, and when the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was started by someone in the crowd it was taken up with enthusiasm. This was foi-

lowed by more cheers, so that it was some minutes before Captain Parry could begin to speak. He kept the crowd enthralled with his description of the experience of the ship’s company during the battle, and spoke in most generous terms of the quality and morale of the men. At the conclusion of the speech the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) called for three cheers for Captain Parry and his officers and men. This was taken

up by tens of thousands of people within range of the loud speakers, and there were further cheers for the wives and mothers of the men, who, the Mayor said, had passed through a very anxious time while the ship was away. The singing of the National Anthem by the great gathering concluded the civic welcome. There were merry scenes in the Town Hall, where the official luncheon was tendered to the captain and officers and men of the Achilles. The gathering included officers and men of all the armed forces, and a number of guests. At the official table were the Minister of Education (Mr. Fraser), the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr. Sullivan), the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom in New Zealand (Sir Harry Batterbee), the Leader of the Legislative Council (Mr. Wilson), the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), Colonel J. Hargest, the Consul for France (M. Pouquet), and Mr. Tai Mitchell, representing the Maori race.