THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16418, 11 January 1919, Page 9

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

REPATRIATED MEN IN LONDON. TURKISH BRUTALITY. (By Cable.—Press Aseociution. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.£. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 8. Sir Thomas Mackenzie entertained 250 repatriated New Zealanders at dinner. He assured them of the warmest woloome upon their return home, ancH pointed out two New Zealand BheUholed flags, presented by New Zealand women, which draped the columns oL the dining-room. (Cheers.) _ Colonel Myers deplored Turkish brutality. He instanced that New Zearlanders suffering from severe fractures were transported in springlcss carts, and that women, en ro.ute, thumped the injured parts. Many wounded were lodged in hospitals, the conditions, ofi which made them unfit for housing animals. Prisoners in Germany,' withi notable exceptions, received fair treatment. ~ I Colonel Fitzherbert 6aid i/hat the total number of Now Zealand prisoners was 497, of which 25 were captured opl Gallipoli, and 12 in Egypt. Of this number 10 had died in Turkey, 20 had) been repatriated to Egypt, and seven had arrived in England. The New Zealanders taken prisoner in France comprised nine officers.; and 451 others. Two officere and thirtyseven men died during imprisonment, 373 had arrived in England, and 48 were still in Germany, but would! soon be repatriated. No other division put up a better record. There wt/5 no instance of a man) surrendering without a fight. The prisoners represented .7 per cent, of the casualties. A WARM SEND-OFF.. (Australian and N.Z. Cable AssociitionJ (Received January 10th, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, January 9. The Ruapehu embarked at Plymouth three hundred .New Zealanders, mostly convalescents. Crowds cheered the departing troops, who boarded the vessel in a storm. HONOURS AWARDED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received January 11th, 1.50 a.m.) LONDON, January 10. The French War Cross has been awarded to three New Zealanders.