Anzac Delegate Back From Goodwill Tour

Chronicle (Levin), 14 May 1949, Page 4

Anzac Delegate Back From Goodwill Tour

How a sub-branch of the Austra ian Returned Services League spent £150 to entertain 10 New Zealandefs for four days was related by Mr. A. J. "H. Allen, of Levin, when speaking of the hospitality extendefl to members of the NeW ^ Zealand Anzac delegation of whict ) he was a member. \ In an interview with a "ChroniC e"- reoorter on' his return this . week, Mr. Allen was enthusiastic 1 over his trip. "Everywhere . we i went we found open doors. Otu , receptioiir. was terrific," he said The distinctive black and whi':e tie fern leaf badge 4and b'ack and J white lapel ribbons were passports ' everywhere. The main trouhle was finding opportunities to spend theii 1 own money and time to sleep. The delegation . comprised returned men from 32 branches oi s the R.S.A., there being 50 in thf j official pariy. They left Auckland o'n the Wanganeda on April 14 arriving at Sydney on Easter Mon- . day. There thev were met by representatives of the R.S.L. and i taken to a reception in the "Sydney c"ub rooms. In the afternoon they visited the Sydney Royal Show. The itinerary for their three weeks' stay in New South Wales, handed to each of the ten men ih Mr. Allen's Party, consisted of flve closely typed fcolscap pages. Their ■ stay was made more interesting by a two-hour fliah over the State. One of the highlights of the tour

was their visit to the Royal snow, said Mr. APen. It was the most "coldssal" show he had ever seen, the attendance being 185,000 people on the 'day of their visit. . The grand parade was the most spectacular feature, not only stock being included but also decorated floats. The parade laSted two hours. In the evening there were trotting rates. He spent six hours at the show, said Mr. Allen, but had not seen a quarter of it. Another highlight was the four days they jspent wi'h the Wollongong subbranch of the R.S.L., some 60 miles* from Sydney. A visit to an Australian steel and iron works was ons of the features of their stay there. They were accommodated at the Diggers' R'est Home. an ex-American h^spi'al taken over hy the local R.S.L. It was a magniflcent huilding overlooking the city. Its purpose is to provide a auiet corner for cohvalescent ex-servicemen and where, on the recommendation of a doctor, -diggers can stay from two _ to flve weeks ei'her alone or with their wives 2nd fambies^ There is no charge, but a collection box is there for anyone who can afford a •donation. .• . • A visit to the Federai Parliament and luncheon with the Acting Prime Minister, Mr. E. J. Holloway, and Gabinet Ministers was ? feature of their stay in Canberra. They also spent some hours viewihg the war. memorial there. It was a most imposmg_structtire and was considered one oF 'tHe"best in the world. Occupying a large area, it has many inner chambers and a basement, a-nd all the main battle grounds are reproduce'd in miniature, Mr. Allan spent four. hours in the memorial and did not see everything it had to offer. Participation in. Sydney 's Anzac Day parade and service was • the main purpose of the -tour and Mr. Allen s'aid that if this had been all it was worth going all the way across the Tasman to see. There. were 130,000 on parade and they marehec^ 14 abreast for the four miles to ths domain. The parade moved off at 9 a.m. and arrived at 11 a.m. The streets were thronged with people and the marching men were given a magniflcent recep.ion. The service was short but most impressive, he said. On the who1e he enjoyed every minute of the trip and eould not praise too highly the arrangements made for their entertainment, said Mr. Al'en. The recepuon given the New Zealanders v/as greater even than during the war. With a wealth of information on how Australia caters for its returned servieemen and a host of souvenirs of a notable trip, Mr. Allen returned to Levin this week.