The Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY AUGUST 9th. 1917. THE VETERAN’S RETURN.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1917, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY AUGUST 9th. 1917. THE VETERAN’S RETURN.

It in exceedingly gratifying to learn that the Hon. Minister of Defence has unbent' to the extent of meeting public opinion in regard to temporary leave for tho men of the Main Body who have been on service for three years. There has been an insistent demand for this recognition for -onie time, and Dr Thacker and others in Parliament have urged the requeue without any regard for the tender feelings of the Minister. Till now, that hon. gentleman has been adamant, declaring it could not be done; but now has come the promise to agree to the request in two doses, one half of them now and the other half later. Australian and French Colonial soldiers are already receiving the concession and it would ho inexplicable if the New Zealand troops could not receivo tho same recognition. . They have done no less nobly, and performed duties no less arduous than their moro fortunate comrades in arms, so that the belated recognition is well overdue. Tho men who have borne the heat and burden of the three year’s campaign by being able to stick to their posts throughout that long and difficult period, well deservo the respite proposed to be given them. Sir James Allen measures it bv a very few weeks, hut surely ways and means will bo found to extend the recuperativo holiday so that our war veterans will not only havo tho opportunity of enjoying a well-earned rest in God’s Own Country, but that the country itself will be given the chance to honour tho men who ha.» don* such faithful service for the three years they have been on duty. The roll call when the veterans return will bn a depleted one. Tho service in the trying climate of Egypt, the exciting task carried out on Gallipoli, and the subsequent warfare in'Palestine and France will havo thinned tho ranks very considerably. All the more reason why those who have gone through tho grnat ordeal should be given the change *nu rest, which a visit to New Zealand will make possible. Not only will it renew the vigor of the men, but it will give the people of this far-removed country an opportunity of realising in a personal way what the war means, and what toll it is exacting. The visn will help the people to realise the sacrifice that is being made, and will inspire the public to recognise in a fit and proper manner what sacrifice is really being made for them by the men at the front. The returning men must be fully honoured. The country win expect tho Government to «o honour J them. No doubt fitting receptions will bo organised in the centres it will be J possible for the men to visit. The Government it is hoped will give the ' men the opportunity of passing right 1

through the Dominion if they wish it, * for though one particular part may be j ‘‘home,” there are many place:} where they have friends, or where thiy have newly-made friends in the relatives of “cobbers” wbo, alas, have gone to their long rest. The visit should be mace the most of in the interests of the m«m, and those whom they want to see, so that friends may glean personal news of their loved ones. In the interests of tho soldiers the decision of the Government is to bo applauded to tho utmoat. / ■