HOME AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 8

HOME AGAIN

THREE TROOP TRANSPORTS ARRIVE WITH 185 WAR BRIDES Ideal weather conditions prevailed yesterday when-no fewer than three returning drafts landed in the-city, comprising 1100 soldiers and 185 soldiers wives. Tha rst draft .to land was that from tlio Matatua, which brought 22 officers and 635 other ranks from the convalescent depot in England. 'l'ho vessel berthed at the King's Wharf at ,10.15 a.m., to (ho strains of "Home, Sweet Home," played by the Wellington Patriotic Society's Band. ' There was a large crowd, to meet New Zealand's sons, and they gave them a hearty welcome. The men were speedily disembarked, under direction ]of Captain 'G. Prictor, military landing officer, and all the local men were soon dispatched to their hemes in tiie motor-cars provided by the Motor Volunteer Corps, .under Captain Pryor. Air. W. H. P. Barber, who represented* the Mayor. (Mr, J. P. Luke, C.M.G.), tendered to the men the city's official welcome, and Colonel Smythe, D.5.0., and Major Andrews, of the Demobilisation Committee, were also present. Disembarkation was complete at 11.15 a.m. Men from Palestine.

The next draft to arrive in the city were the southern men ex the steamer Nestor, which disembarked .her complement at Auckland. 1 The draft comprised about 80 men, and they arrived shortly after 1 p.m. at the Thorndon Station, being met by a representative of the, military disembarkation staff. All the men belonged to units of. the Mounted Ritle Brigade, and had served in Sinai and in Palestine. War Brides. Much interest was centred around the arrival of the ' third draft, which w;as brought by the liner Ruapehu, which berthed at the Kind's Wharf at 4.15 p.ni. This vessel brought 185 soldiers' wives, 33 officers, and 392 o.r.'s, and tlio particularly large crowd which met the boat gave them a most hearty welcome. "Home, Sweet Home," was played by the Patriotic Society's Band as the vessel drew alongside the 'wharf, and„then followed much cheering. The decks of the vessel were laden with troops, and dotted here and there were the wives of nearly two hundred soldiers. Both nurses and officers on the vessel speak very highly of these daughters of England and of France—there were two Frenchwomen on board; Throughout the voyage the wives were kept busy looking after their children, and their, care of them has earned the prais<« of tlio sister in charge." Tlio children are a. tin© healthy lot, jnd wero popular witlj-fill on board. After leaving Panama a most successful baby show was held on board.. Dr. IC. Littlo, the lady doctor on board, experienced some difficulty in selecting the champion baby, and amid the applause of all on board the championship was allotted to Master Freddie Dustin, a bright little fellow,''just over six months old. Altogether there were 80 children on the vessel.

Most of tho drives bad their husbands on boar j with them, but there were a few who -joined .them yesterday. Several ladiefi representing tho Citizens' Service League and Victoria League were present to welcome the wives, and Miss M'Lean, of -the Immigration Department, was also .present. Disembarkation was completed within an hour. j . The vessel had an uneventful voy- j age, via Panama, where those on board were enthusiastically received. The : soldiers and soldiers' wives for Ta'ranald, Wanganui, Hawke's Bay, and the Wairarapa Who. arrived by the 1 Ruapeliu leave Wellington for their homes Iby the ordinary trains. to-day. Those' for. north of Maiton will leave by a special express, leaving ThormUm Station at 2 p.m. to-day. The South Is- | land portion left by the Maori- for I Lyttelton last night, and those for Picton I and Nelson will sail by the Mapourika | at noon qn Monday. I I, i .

MR. SEMPLE AND BOLSHEVISM j ] ' —« ! f STRONG CRITICISM IN CHRIST- ! ! cHUHCii. • •; By Teleßranh-Press Asnociatiom . Christchurch, February 21. j •'Certain statements reported to have r been made by Mr. B. Simple, M.P., in j the Coicseum last Saturday night, were i discussed at the 'Presbyterian General Assembly to-day. The llev. W>, Scorgie, speaking on 1 Church union, said:—'' Men can stand up 1 in publio halls, in Christcluirch and are 1 'not ashamed to proclaim themselves 80l- ' she-visfe in this country. They are not ashamed of it, and our country in its 1 laws and'legislation is, so weak that it : is cither afraid .or ashamed to put these ' men out of the way. 'What did the newspapers tell you? The logical outcome of Bolshevism," .he continued, "is that women are to be public property, and these men proclaim it here, and they, are allowed to draw ,£3OO a year .and to call themselves members of Parliament." The last remark was greeted .with cries of "Shame!" The Rev. J. Dixon, to illustrate remarks on democracy in the iChurch, said: "Does anybody say that Mr. Semple, M.P., represented the 70,000 registered trades unionists' in this country? I say No!" The question was answered by cries of "No!" ; Mr. If. Logan protested against Mr. Seriiple's name being introduced, saying that politics had nothing to do with the Assembly's discussions, and that it was a Christchurch affair and not a Dominion one.