HOME FROM THE WAR.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16416, 9 January 1919, Page 2

HOME FROM THE WAR.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE I'aESS." Si r> —Wo have shown by the reception given to our French visitors —though the city was not nearly so much beflagged with the tri-oolour as it should have been —that we are not unmindful of great deeds. . Hitherto our own brave soldiers have returned "in dribs and drabs," so to speak, while the war was going on. It is happilv at an end, and thero appears to be a'big batch of Canterbury boys returning home quite soon. Is it therefore not ''up to us" to show thom that we are not unmindful of the valorous deeds and services rendered! us ? They have fought for us and helped to defeat an unscrupulous foe. but. I need not remind your readers of the unspeakable actions of an enemy who, if they had not been defeated, wouldl have mado their presence here unpleasantly felt. Should, then, we not receive our boys back from the war with "banners waving and trumpets sounding"? Let our conquering heroes bo given a fitting reception. The authorities should orect a welcome-home,, arch, say, at the railway station or in Cathedral square, and arrange for our bands and resident soldiers to turn out, and let the city bo well befiagged. They and their relatives should be met at the station by motor-cars, andl the whole procession should be cheered to Cathedral square. One short speech of welcome there, say, by the Mayor, and then let the boys disperse or be driven to their homos; or. if thought . St, given lunch. But do lot the boys see that we Snow how to receive them on their return from the war, and cheer ourselves hoarse. Can a permanent reception committee be set up to arrange proper welcomes whenever batches of our boys arrivo in ChristcliurchP—Yours, etc., CHRISTCHURCH. January 8.