SOLDIERS ON FURLOUGH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1943, Page 4

SOLDIERS ON FURLOUGH

PATRIOTIC SOCIETY DINNER, With reference to the dinner at which Masterton soldiers returned on furlough from the Middle East are to be entertained by the local Patriotic Committee on Monday evening next, a correspondent “Nauticus” suggests that the soldier’s wife or next of kin, or friend, be invited with the soldier to the dinner, “particularly in this case where these men have been absent from their families for so long.” The correspondent suggests also that the only civilians present should be, say the Mayor, Chairman of the County Council, representative of the Army, president and secretary of the Patriotic Committee and the president of the R.S.A.

Invited to comment on these suggestions, the secretary of the Patriotic Committee (Mr G. T. O’Hara Smith) said his organisation was making the best arrangements it could in rather difficult circumstances. Notice of the return of the soldiers had been very short, and at the same time it had been considered necessary that the dinner should be held not later than Monday next, because it was thought likely that many of the returned men would be leaving Masterton to visit other parts of the Dominion. 'On account of catering and other difficulties it had been found impracticable to invite the wives or other relatives of soldieis. The attendance of civilians would be confined to that of a few official representatives, much as the correspondent had suggested.