FROM MIDDLE EAST

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 7, 4 October 1943, Page 4

FROM MIDDLE EAST

Second N.Z.E.F. Men Return Home

WELLINGTON WELCOME Upwards of 160 recently returned officers and men who have seen service with the 2nd. N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East were welcomed at the Casualty Clearing Station, Wellington. The party was made up of sick and wounded, men on furlough, and men on compassionate leave. ’ , In the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister,,the welcome of the . War Cabinet was extended by Mr. Hamilton, who said that the home life and home food would, he was tonlident, speedily restore to health those who were not quite fit. He thanked them all, on behalf of the people of the Dominion, for the great work they had done. . The Minister of Rehabilitation, Major Skinner, told the men he had beat them home, and assured them the welcome awaiting them throughout New Zealand was much warmer than the current weather. To those of them who might be returning to be discharged—there Avere not many, he said —the advantage of speedily getting in touch with their local rehabilitation committees could not be too greatly stressed, and it might save them a lot if they did so. On behalf of the Returned Services Association, Mr. C. AV. Batten assured the men of a hearty welcome. He recalled that when the Alain Body went away in the last war the enemy spoke pityingly of them as “raw colonials.” On this occasion the term used was “simple country lads.” “Well,” said Mr. Batten, “you’ve shown ’em.” Dr. Macdonald AVilson, medical officer in charge of the clearing station, also welcomed the men. and outlined the arrangements made to get them speedily settled/fhe Minister of AVorks, Mr. Semple, Avas also in the welcoming party.