ITALIAN BRIDES ARRIVE

Chronicle (Levin), 19 March 1946, Page 8

ITALIAN BRIDES ARRIVE

-Press Association

mqr Saved New Zealanders From Enemy tamaroa at wellington

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, March 19. Excitement mingied with some apprehension was shown by a number of Italian brides of New Zeaxana servicemen when they landed from the Tamaroa this morning. Very few of the girls had more than a slight smattering of English, The husbands among them were unanimous that they should be welcomed, and made to feel at home in this country. "On the whole the boys were given a warm reception in Northern Italy, and there should be no animosity shown to these women on account of their birth," said one soldier, whose sentiments were echoed by others. "People don't realise how good these girls were to us," said another. "We've seen things in the papers that seem to indicate that ^ some people are objecting to our ing these girls back. People who say that just don't know what they're talking- about. and are displaying a wrong spirit altogether. Some of these girls saved New Zealanders from the enemy in Ita.ly."

There were approximately 40 Italian wives and fiancees aboard the i Tamaroa, and many of them before ■ they left Italy were given talks on conditions in New Zealand, particularly as regards home life and cook- ! ing and language and currency. Most of them come from Northern 1 Italy, where conditions approximate more to those in New Zealand,. and the extreme poverty of the south is not encountered. They are going to j homes in many parts of New Zealand, including a surprising number ! to farms. New Zealand means for many of i'them more than a new home — it means freedom from fear. The situation in Trieste is difficult, and : many of them had the idea that 'there would be further trouble | there. They felt they have had enough trouble in the last few years, 1 and to quit Europe had its compensations as well as its sorrows. i Padre Leo P. Spring, a Roman . Catholic chaplain who sailed with ; the First Echelon and was stationed in Napier before the war, and whose home is in Timaru, said the major- : ity of the girls would make very 'good wives. Their whole upbringniitaught them domestic life, and how to make a home. Others on the Tamaroa included Lance-Corporal Josef Glinski, a I member of the Polish forces who embarked at Port Said. He has a i permit to stay in New Zealand for i two years, and has come to rejoin his wife and two children, who are at the camp in Pahiatua, i The Tamaroa was to have berthed ; last night, but ran into thick fog off Cane Terawhiti.