“GREAT MEN”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 5

“GREAT MEN”

FEELING TRIBUTE PAID JOYS OF HOME-COMING APPRECIATION OF WELCOME “Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, they were great men.” ' Ln these few simple words, Major S. J. Hedge, replying to the addresses of welcome at Tuesday’s public reception paid a very feeling . tribute to those men of the New Zealand Division who had paid the supreme sacrifice while fighting in the Middle East. lilajoi' S. J. Hedge, in reply, expressed appreciation for the sincere welcome which had been tendered that day. He spoke oL joy which he had experienced iff returning to NewZealand, emphasising the pleasure of seeing trees and green grass and houses which they would < like to live in—not the holes in the ground which they had been accustomed to. Also, the smiling white faces of the people with a language which they knew. This was a great experience indeed. Meeting Loved Ones The joy of meeting their loved ones had made a fitting climax to a great home-coming. He referred to the great part the people of New Zealand had played .> while they had been away. They had, he said, carried on without a moan and this had been an inspiration to the. men . who had been fighting overseas. He paid tribute to both the Navy and the Airforce, emphasising the great ' job they were doing. All the Armed Forces from New Zealand were held in the highest esteem throughout the world, he said. Continuing, he said he had had the I pleasure of commanding the boys on the stage and they fully deserved all the esteem which had been expressed. Great Chaps “They are great chaps,” he said, adding that they measure up fully to the traditions of the Diggers of the 1914-18 war. (Applause). Speaking of the men who had been taken prisoner-of-war, Major. Hedge said these men had only been taken, prisoner when they had J absolutely noother alternative left. Although these men had to suffer hardship in the first part of their captivity, when they reached permanent camps they were reasonably well treated. He mentioned the value of the parcels which they received each week and urged those assisting in this work tp keep up their efforts. To those who had paid the supreme sacrifice he paid tribute by saying simply, “Believe me, ladies and gentlemen, they were, great men.”