FLAGS FOR EXETER.
A RECOGNITION OP KINDNESS. (fbom our own correspondent.) LONDON, May 26. For at. least tbreo years past tho city of Exeter, lying on the road between Plymouth and Salisbury Plain, has probably seen pass through' it more oversea soldiers than any other inland town in Great Britain. Ih has, moreover, taken a keen interest in the mon's welfare, d,nd almost from the first has taken upon itself the task of entertaining them as they passed through. This has been a very onerous duty, and the fact that it has been done so well for such a long time is very creditable to I the patriotism of the capital of Devon. In recognition of so much kindness ! the authorities of the different oversea i ■ forces arranged to present flags to the city,« and the cercmony took place last week. Australia was represented, on the occasion by Major-General J. _>V. McCay, Commanding in the 'United Kingdom, and New Zealand by Briga-dier-General H. Hart, D.S.O. South Africa and Canada also co-operated. Tho flags lmvo been hung under tho roof of the Guildhall, a historic 14th Century building, and that of New Zealand is directly opposite the portrait | of George 11., and near Sir Peter Lely s portrait of the Princess Henrietta, ; daughter of Charles I. Underneath the I New Zealand flag is a brass tablet bearing the inscription: "The flag hanging abovo was presented to Lady Mayoress of Exeter, by Brigadier-Gen-eral H Hart, D.S.O.*, on behalf of all ranks of the N.Z.E.F., in appreciation of the hospitality shown to them when passing through tho city during tho great war, 1918." Captain F. S. Varnham, M.C., N.Z.E.F., was also present at the ceremony and the luncheon, and , Major "SV. Kay, N.Z.R.8., Commandthe Discharge Deoot at Torquay. A. contingent of 40 New Zealanderfij, under Captain Edwards, took part in the ceremony with a detaclimcnt of Cadets from Topsham Barracks. J In presenting the flag on behalf ot New Zealand, General Hart said it was a mark of Zealand's very deep gratitude for many acts of hospitality and kindness shown by the ladies of Exeter to their troops while passing through. The oversea men had been received there as if they had been the sons of Exrter. The eoodwill and generosity of their receDtion made them ap- ! preciate that there" was something more I than a bare expression in the words "comine to tho Home Land." First impressions were lasting, and the im- j pressions whHi the men got as they j passed through Exeter were impressions of a genuine welcome. New Zealand had sent away IOO.OCO men, 3nd was deterihined to'do all it could to secure our just aims in the struggle. So long as they had a iran able to bear a rifle and to take his part in the war, they would send him. The war had done one thing that could not have been done by tho greatest statesman that ever lived; it had forged together the people* of the British Empire on the battlefields of Gallipoli aiid Trance, . and he was quite sure that in all time thev would nevnr be torn asunder. The Mayor (Sir James Owen 1 ) made a st'p-ing renly, and the Lord-Lieuten-ant (Earl Fortescue) also spoke, and read out a toleeram which had been received from the King.
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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16260, 10 July 1918, Page 10
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554FLAGS FOR EXETER. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16260, 10 July 1918, Page 10
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