BIG MOMENT FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

Chronicle (Levin), 10 June 1946, Page 5

BIG MOMENT FOR NEW ZEALANDERS

(Speeial Correspondent).

CHEERS AND CALLS FROM VAST CROWD

Reeeived Sunday, 7 p.m. LOXDON, June 8. The big moment in the vvhole parade for the New Zealanders, was when, marching in perfeet forniation,' they gave tlie eyes left at tlie saluting base and saw the King, Queen, Qneeii Mother, ihe Prineesses, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Attlee and Members of the Cabinet in the forefront of the distinguished gathering. Though t-he crowd at this point was the most decorous along the whole route, eaeh of the contingents — some more than others aceording to familiarity — reeeived cheers and clapping. Tlie New Zealanders, following tlie Canadians and Australians and preceding the South Afrieans, reeeived obvious recognition which was aided by tlie Digger bats and coloured puggarees. The air "Waltzing Matilda," almost as familiar to tlie Iviwis as to native Australians, preeeded them as they were approaching tlie saluting point and was followed by the Soutli African's equally well known " Sarie Marais. " It was one of the times 'when oue felt the need of a New Zealand national marching song. From tlie Navy in the van to Women 's Serviees in the rear, the flies were steady and soldierly. Aligned as a eontingent they passed the oftieial stand to xneet the cheers from less reslrained erowds lining the further end of The AI all. There was some inquiry among the crowd for the Alaoris who apparently were expected by some onlookers to march as a distinet unit. Some time after the New Zealanders had passed tliere was an anxious inquirer at the Piess box endeavouring to identify a Maori among one of tlie following Colonial contingents. JTon. W. Nash, ATrs. Nash and Mr. W. •i. Jordan, represenied New Zealand at tlie oflicinl stand. Afr. Nash sat on tlie left of the Royal dais in line with Air. Attlee, Air. Churchill, Air. Afackenzie King and General Smuts with Air. Jordan behind him several tiers back. Alrs. Nash sat with Mr. Bevin and Alrs. Bevin behind His ATajestv. Sir Cvril and Lady Newall ■were also among tlie guests on tlie oflieial stand and greeted many old frieuds before the march pastf coiiinienced. The New Zealand ensign liting with flags of tlie chief Allies and otlier Dominioi.s in tlie close proximity oi' tlie saluting base. Sergeant Alajor W. Ivennody, AI.AL, of Auckland, vlio trained tlie Jargest section of tlie New Zealand eontingent, was well pleased wilh the way the New Zealanders niarehed "although the mimi was too far aliead, involving frequent cliange of step. The Iviwis really swung into the march along Tlie Afall. Tlie continuous roar of elieering made it ditlicult for tlie oflicers to makfc oj (lers lieard. Thc crowd gave us a great reception," said Sgt.. Alajor Kennody. "Above tlie elieering you could liear theni yelling 'good old Iviwis' and 'come along All Blacks.' " Gaptain L'pham, V.G. and bar, who nmrched in tlie fourth rank, endorsed tlie conmient that the higli spot in the wliole jiarade was passing the saluting base and glimpsing their Alajesties. "I would like to have seen the parade but, ot course, all. we eould see were those ahead oi' us, " lie said. "We eouldn't liear anvthing exeept, the erowds and rattles wliirled by children. 1 was sorrv for tlie crowd when it began to rain." Nquadron Leader Trent, Ar.C., said: "It was a very enjoyable march and most of us would liave been happy to lmve done tlie whole tliing over again if ne'-essarv. -Passing Constit.ut.ion HiJl I somehow or other had to checlc the drossing by glaneing to tlie left. Oddly e.hough I saw my wife waving to me. and gave her a salute. " Alajor F. J. Alartin, AI.R.E., of Gisborne, said: "It was like marching througli a long tunnel but the tunnel comprised elieering erowds." Charge Sister D. Waldie, of Wellington, said: "We wer.en't as tired as we tliouglit we miglit be butAeyeri rvlien we began to feel tired the elieering erowds heljiocl us." A New Zealand official war correspondent who travelled with tlie mechanised column said the parade moved along twenty-five miles of happv and litarty elieering. People lining the streets in front of Ihe bombed-out sections and perched on ruined* buildings, cheered as though tliey had not a c-are in the world. For them it was a won derful day of triumph. The familiar fernleaf which would liave been earried on the vehieles of several British nnits attached to the (Second Division thioughout the war, was absent from ihe mechanised column because all unit li.arkings were obliterated when tlie \ ehicles were freshly painted i'or lln; pa radc.