WELCOME HOME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 44, 23 June 1947, Page 5

WELCOME HOME

. WAIMANA GREETS EX-KIWIS FINAL PATRIOTIC DINNER Waimana district’s well-de-served reputation for doing the right thing for its men who served overseas was well maintained on Thursday evening when residents and visitors gathered in the hall for a dinner at which the guests of honour were the last two men to return home. This was the final dinner of a series of five held by the Waimana Patriotic Committee to welcome home drafts of returned Service personnel. The guests were Henry Te Wairua and Pomare Heemi, who had served in the Maori Battalion in Italy and Japan and returned home last year. With Mr R. F. Wardlaw, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, in the chair and Mr J. L. Burnett as toastmaster, and every seat occupied, the evening was just as successful as its predecessors when other drafts of boys from overseas were welcomed.

Apologies were offered on behalf of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lady Ngata, Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., and Mrs Sullivan, the Rev. Mr Liggett and Mrs Liggett, and several others unable to be present. Service in Japan In proposing the toast of “Our Guests,” the chairman explained that the two Maori boys had returned home just after the dinner held last year. Although their Army service had not been long in the Middle East they had helped in the rather dull job of the Army of Occupation in Japan. This was a necessary task for the troops, because as long as Japan was occupied there was an assurance of peace in the Pacific. The mother Country had taken a great battering during the war and was less able than formerly to play her accustomed part in world affairs. For that reason the Dominions must be prepared to take a greater share in the defence of the Empire. The boys in Japan were doing a worth-while job.

To this the guests of the evening suitably replied, modestly saying they had not done a great deal. They had reached Italy just in time for

the Armistice, so they had to go to Japan and spend seven months there. They were very glad to be home again, and they wished to thank the people of Nukuhou and Waimana for putting on such a grand dinner in their honour. “Services” and “Old Diggers” To the toast of “The Services” proposed by Mr Holmes, of Opotiki, replies were made by Miss M. Grover, who served overseas with the Army, and by Flying Officer, R. White, D.F.C.

Humorous reference to the exploits of the “Old Diggers” in Cairo and in more serious vein appreciative mention of their good work in founding the R.S.A. was made by Mr A. McDonald in proposing the toast of “The Ist N.Z.E.F.”

In responding, Mr C. M. White paid a tribute to the men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. who had started off with a heavy handicap because of the unpreparedness of the Empire, but who had carried on until final victory. Mr White expressed the hope that the lessons of the years in between the wars would not be forgotten, so that ultimately peace and justice would rule in the world for Centuries to come. The toast of “Fallen Comrades” was effectively proposed by Mr Brian Burnett, who asked those present to think of the men who also left the district but had been called on to make the supreme sacrifice. Those men had fought and died to keep war from this country and to ensure peace. This had been achieved. The fallen comrades would feel that their sacrifice had not been in vain if the people saw to it that the peace was a lasting one.

Good Work of the Ladies

Waimana men who went overseas were well looked after by the ladies of the Patriotic Committee of Waimana, said Mr J. Cranswick in paying a tribute to the ladies. At each welcome home dinner the tables had been set as only the ladies of Waimana could have done it. It was typical of the hospitality to be found in country districts. Ex-servicemen would agree that there were many ladies in New Zealand who had done more than themselves towards winning the war. In replying, Mrs J. Boynton said the women of Waimana and Nukuhou felt amply rewarded by knowing that their wartime efforts were appreciated by the boys from the district who served overseas.

The good work of Mr It. F. Wardlaw as chairman of the Waimana Patriotic Committee was eulogised by Mr A. Mitchell, and especially in connection with the organising the welcome-home dinners. ~ Possible Annual Reunion Mr Wardlaw remarked that this was the fifth such dinner and he hoped that the returned men would carry the gathering on as an annual reunion. It had not been difficult to carry out his duties as chairman because everyone in the district had been helpful. He thanked the ladies for providing the dinners, and made special mention of Mr and Mrs Monty King who had played music at all patriotic functions at no cost to the committee.

Other speakers .were Mr F. Mitchell (“The Artists”) and Mr J. Leather (“The Press”). Much appreciated items were the humorous blackboard sketches by Mr R. H. Haeusler (Paroa) and songs by Mr Holmes (Opotiki), and there was also community singing led by Mr Holmes. Later the hall was cleared for dancing, which concluded a memorable evening.