SICK AND WOUNDED

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 218, 10 June 1943, Page 4

SICK AND WOUNDED

Welcome Back To New Zealand

“You’re not to feel you are being ‘got rid of,” said the Prime Minister. Mr. Fraser, in an address of welcome to a party of 157 sick and wounded officers and men who have returned to New Zealand from the Middle East. “That is not the spirit of the Government or of the people of New. Zealand. We do not want any of the injustices which have unfortunately occurred in the past.’ Mr. Eraser impressed on the men the importance of informing the medical boards bekie which they would go or anything bey felt. The records whi-h would be made, in addition to those whica accompanied them from the fighting zone, would be most important if, even as long ns 20 years ahead, it became necessary to make an arrangement for their well being Everything would be done that could be done to fit them to return to take up the u.- 1 ful places in the community from which they had gone out to fight.. “If Germany had not been held back in the Middle East, if Japan had not been held back, it would have been the end of this country,” Mr. Fraser declared. .“1’0:1 have done the job. and done it well. We are grateful to you, and welcome ." ou back.” Other <-’l takers at the gathering were the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mi. W H. Price, the president of the N.Z. Returned it.crvices Association, Mr. Pen .’, M.L.C., the Minister in Charge of the Maori War Effort, Mr. Tirikatene, and the medical officer in charge of .he clcarinit hospital. Dr. Macdonald Wilson. The thanks of the returned party were voiced by the senior officer present. Lieutenant P. 11. Toka, of the Maori Battalion. Others among those present were roe United Kingdom Higli Commissioner, Si» Hairy Batterbee, the Minister of Transport. Mr. O’Brien, and the secretary of the Harbour Board. Mr. F. AV. Reid. Among (hose of their-own race who welcomed the Maori members of the party was the Ariki of Raratonga. Mrs. Love, widow of the late commander of the Maori Battalion.