ACTING-PRIME MINISTER'S WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 146, 15 March 1919, Page 8

ACTING-PRIME MINISTER'S WELCOME

The following message lias been dispatched by Sir James Allen,. Actingi. Prime Minister, to tho officer commamling the troops on (he llororata:—"On ' .. behalf of tho people of New Zealand, I welcome you and nil .your officers and .... men back to your homeland. We are 1 proud of you, and grateful for what you have done', and deeply thankful for your ' safe return. You will bo welcomed on arrival, disembarked as soon as health . precautions admit, and will not be detained for speeches. Tho Commandant will send you particulars of proceedings which will take place oil your arrival. I know you all wish to go to your homos, and we will expedite this as far ,19 possible. Haeremai! llaeremai! Hae.remai!" Colonel It. J. Collins, Chief Executive C Officer of tho Dominion Biflo Associa- ■ tion, last night forwarded the following telegram from Trentham to tho officer commanding the troops on the Horo..rata:—"The executive of the Dominion Rifle Association and competitors heartily welcome yourself and your troops back to New Zealand, and regret that owing to rifle shooting being now in progress they are unable to formally welcome you." Sir JamesAllenstated yesterday that ho regretted very much that the Government invitations to go out 011 the Janie Seddon and meet the llororata, at the He'aSs would not nowbe issued owing to the late arrival of the troopship. The Government had placed the Tutanekai at the disposal of the Mayor for tho con- ■ veyance of next-of-kin,' and all arrange- . ments for admission to the vessel were now in Mr. Luke's hands.'