WELCOMED HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1943, Page 3

WELCOMED HOME

WOUNDED NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS AND WOMEN HOSPITAL WORKERS RECEPTION IN WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Soldiers and airmen from a recentlyarrived hospital ship were met at a casualty clearing station by an official party of several Ministers of the Crown and members of the Legislative Council. In the absence of the Premier, the welcome of the Government was extended by Mr Sullivan, who commented on the fact that among those returned were some women. “I’m afraid we have more severe casualties on this occasion than on any previous oc casion,” he said, but added that the wounded men were facing their present difficulties with the same cheerful spirit and courage they had shown against the enemy in Egypt. They had done a great job in sending Rommel and his legions scurrying back across the desert like scared rabbits.

The Defence Minister (Mr Jones) expressed the country’s pride in what its fighting men had done overseas. He said: “We are going to enjoy more victories this year,” and hoped 1943 would see the end of the war and the rest of the boys back in New Zealand. He thanked the staff of the hospital ship and expressed appreciation of the United States Marine Corps sending its band to welcome the returned New Zealanders.