A CONTRAST

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20492, 7 May 1938, Page 9

A CONTRAST

WELCOME TO RETURNED MEN DOMINION AND AUSTRALIA *T don’t see how we can possibly repay what the Australian people did for the New Zealand returned soldiers' contingent during their visit to the centenary celebrations,” said Mr T. J. W. Evans, a Hamilton member of the New Zealand party, on his return today. Mr Evans added that the lack of interest shown when the contingent returned to Wellington only served to emphasise the warmth of the Australian welcome. Nothing had been too muoh trouble for the Australian hosts but when the troops returned to New Zealand there was only a handful of people to welcome them and not a sign of a band x or trumpet for their march to the cenotaph. For the majority of the men, with the memory of the wonderful Australian welcome fresh In their minds, the return to New Zealand was A dismal conclusion to a most successful venture. “I have never seen such a welcome as the New Zealand diggers received In Sydney and when the Australian contingent makes a return visit In 1940 we shall be hard put to repay their many kindnesses." stated Mr Evans. He said that at first Sydney people were under the Impression that the New Zealanders were having all their expenses paid, hut when they found that they had made the trip at their own expense there was a remarkable change of attitude and an “open door” policy was pursued on every hand. Illustratinc this Mr Evans said the total cost of hls week’s stay at a very modern hotel had been only £2 17s. There was tremendous enthusiasm among Australian returned men to come to New Zealand in 1940. added Mr Evans, ami he understood that about 8000 would make the trip from New South Wales alone. The Commonwealth total would be about 12.000. A scheme was being put into operation where those intending to rtstt the Dominion subscribe towards the fare on a weekly basis.