WELCOME HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2745, 14 April 1916, Page 6

WELCOME HOME

THE MAHENO COMES BACK

RECEPTION 'OF THE SOLDIERS

The hospital ship Maheno, with sick and wounded soldiers on board,'arrived in Wellington Harbour shortly after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and berthed at the Kiug's Wharf at 2.40 p.m. There was a dense crowd ol relatives and friends to meet the soldiers, and the men were cheered up very much, as it seemed, by the warmth of this welcome. This party of returned men do not, many of tliem, look so fit as some of those who have come back previously, but as |tlie ship drew up. alongside the wharf yesterday the first impression one got of the men was that they were all perfectly well—so cheerful were they all. Those who recognised friends snouted greetings and banter, and altogether' the scene was a merry one. Atcloser range, however, it could be seen that many of the soufiers are sadly hurt or seriously shaken in health.

The, soldiers were conveyed to the Town Hall by motor-cars provided, and there they were .given tea and other refreshments by a band of kind-hearted women. There ms a' brief formal welcome ceremony also, but owing to delays at the ship this did not commence until 4.30 p.m. About 1500 peoplo were present in the hall.

The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) said he wished to tender to' the returned soldiers and to the nurses who had cared for them on the voyage a .very hearty welcome on behalf, not only of the citizen's of Wellington, but of the people of New Zealand. No tribute could be too great for the men who had fought so valiantly, and the nurses who had succoured the wounded so tenderly. (Applause.) Those men who had come back with broken bodies or reduced by sickness had all done their part in the fight for the Empire. We knew when wo asked the boys of New Zealand to rally round the flag that they, along with the boys of the other Dominions, would make good. This had been demonstrated by actual trial in war. He believed that the men now going would still do their part manfully, with credit to themselves and their country.. (Applause.)

The Right Hon.W. F. Massey (Prime Minister) said he wished to join with the Mayor in according a welcome to the returned soldiers. He regretted to learn -that there were men who had just arrived w'ho were, perhaps, more seriously injured than, those who had come back previously. Now, however, they wero back in their ;.own country with their relatives and their friends, and he wished to tell the returned soldiers that it would be the, business of, the people of the country to look after them, .whatever their injuries might be. The people appreciated their gallant conduct, and were proud of them. They had done honour to themselves and credit to New Zealand. There were tens of thousands of New Zealand soldiers still in' the fighting line, and there were many .more to go. He trusted that those who were there now, and those who had not yet reached' the front, would maintain the' high reputation that the men who had just come back had built up. He congratulated the nurses and the soldiers on their safe return; lie congratulated their relatives. To them,all he would.say "Welcome Home."

The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) said he also wished to join in welcoming the returned soldiers. If any of them wanted to know about their,.records, they'could find out by .applying direct to the Base Records Office, Wellington. If they wanted to know about their pay they should apply direct- to the Pay Branch, Wellington. Of, the returned soldiers he wished to 'make .one request—that they should join with him in showing- their hearty appreciation of the ladies who had provided tea for them. v . The soldiers were only too ready to respond, and they did so righ't heartily. The ceremonies ended with three cheers for the returned- soldiers and nurses, and the singing of the National Anthem.