THEROTORUA'S MEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2687, 5 February 1916, Page 6

THEROTORUA'S MEN

WELCOMED AT THE TOWN HALL snt JOSEPH 'WARD URGES REPRISALS

"FOUR BOMBS FOR ONE!

Of the 210 returned soldiers from England who arrived at Aucklaud by the Rotorua on Thursday, about 100 reached Wellington by the 2.40 p.m. express yesterday, in charge of Major Brereton, of Nelson. Most of them proceeded at once to the Town Hall, where a reception was accorded them in the Council Chamber, which was all too small for the number of people who desired to be present. Still the sight of these warscarred heroes from the trenches of Gallipoli seated round the prettilydecorated horse-shoe table, was an exhilarating one, and each group of men received a very hearty greeting as they entered the Chamber. ' The Mayor (Mr. J. P, Luke) extended a most hearty welcome to the men who had fought for New Zealand and the Empire at Gallipoli, and other theatres where! the war was raging. The men of New Zealand, Australia, and" Canada had, prior to the war, only known the civil .side of life, but they had made good oil every occasion, and wero fit to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best soldiers in tho world. They had fought for the women, the girls, and the people of Now Zealand generally, with as much 'capacity; resolve, and purpose as any soldiers:who had over trod.a battlefield. It was not this generation, perhaps, who. would feel ; the greatest gratitude to them .for the gallant fight they had ftraghl: it was those who were coming on, awl unborn .millions to follow thatwould bless their names and swell with admiration at .the memory of their deeds. Tho nation had its dark days, but they must remember that there was a- Providence watching over all. who would give us-the victory. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward, in welcoming the men, congratulated the parents and relations at seeing their boys hack again, and they deserved all honour for the work they had done for the community generally .in the great war. They had shadowed. through the Press daily the magnificent traits of the British ncop!'' in contending With a determined and altogether unscrupulous foe. In his' judgment it was about time that the British people should '.fotego any sentiment they may have,. and give a quid pro quo, to tlie dastardly -'Zeppelin murderers of the innocent in the Old Country, by sending aviators—and we had daring and brave aviators—to the German cities, to rain down three or foi.r bombs to every one-liurlcd on a British town. (Applause.) He was sorry to have to advocate such, a course, but. to teach such a foe a lesson we would havq to descend from our high standards. The work done by the men who had returned was a fine example to those who had not seen fit to enlist, but as the urgency arose'' : he did! not think that any able man would stay behind.- He hoped thatbefore ■ many months wore nast they would, without having yielded'to a premature peace, know the jov of a compulsory peace —the result of victory. (Applause,), _ , Tlie Hon. W. H." Herries endorsed the wclcomim* words of the -Maj-or and Sir Joseph Ward, and said he wished to add nothing further but the old " Maori words—"Haere Mai! • Haere Mai!',' (Applause.) ■ , Afternoon , tea was daintily served bv the lady helners. The function ended with cheers for the returned men, the lioys who were still fighting and the parents of the returned, and the ladies who had assisted'at the tables during the afternoon.