WELCOME HOME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 October 1943, Page 2

WELCOME HOME

MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST. MINISTERS EXPRESS GRATITUDE. Upwards of 160 recently returned officers and men who have seen service with the Second 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 confident, speedily restore to health those who were not quite fit. He thanked them all. on behalf of the people of the Dominion, foi’ the great work they had done. The Minister of Rehabilitation, Major Skinner, told the men he had beaten 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 were 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. W. Batten assured the men of a hearty welcome. He recalled that when the Main 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 Wilson, medical officer in charge of the clearing station, also welcomed the men and outlined the arrangements made to get them speedily settled. The Minister of Works, Mi' Semule, was in the welcoming party.