General Monash suggests that it would be generous if France were to grant to Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, similar grants to that of Vimy Ridge to the Canadians. This, he states, would create a bond of fraternity with France that would never be broken, nor forgotten.

The Repatriation Carnival was continued in Newcastle on Saturday in perfect weather, when the outstanding feature was the citizens' welcome to the returned soldiers. The opening item in the day's festivities was the procession. Hunter Street has, during the past four years, formed the background of many a brave show, but perhaps never has the setting been so pleasing as that of Saturday afternoon, when upwards of five hundred returned soldiers took their places in a peaceful procession primarily designed for their benefit alone. Many units were represented, and among the colours displayed were those of battalions which won immortal renown at Gallipoli and on the battlegrounds of France and Belgium. Large flags of the Allied nations and dependencies flew from the tops of many buildings, kiosks, and windows, small flags were bunched here and there, and streamers were hung across the street at intervals. There were also many other decorative devices, and the effect generally was as pleasing as it could be made. The procession, in point of numbers, was not quite as imposing as others that have been arranged on occasions of the kind, but was none the less compact, regular, and well-ordered, and many hundreds of sightseers flanked the line of route from Perkin Street to the coal monument. The first section was headed by the Naval Band, under Conductor Bracken, a promising squad of Cadets, under CPO J. Wiggins, taking up the next position. Of the Veterans, thirty strong, many were wearing medals and other marks of military distinction reminiscent of the China and African wars. This little band is invariably found in displays of the kind, with Mr J.J. Dick as standard bearer. The fourth position was allotted to the Municipal Band, under Bandmaster H.E. Kerry, and heralded the outstanding feature of the demonstration, the returned soldiers, who marched four abreast. Here together in Hunter Street was a body of men, ranking from brigadier-general to private, everyone of whom had helped in his way to thwart the enemy. Here were men to whom the hot, dry wastes of Mesopotamia and arid Egypt, the far-famed fields of Pozieres, St. Quentin, Villers Bretonneux, and others were as familiar as the ground upon which they were at that moment treading. It was probably the vivid recollection of these, with their tragic and memorable associations, that inspired the plaudits of the onlookers.

A number of regulations under the War Precautions Act were reported on Thursday. They include power to take possession of private land for defence purposes in the interest of public safety, to require a census of goods, to compel people to extinguish light, to clear areas of inhabitants, and prohibition against the possession of carrier pigeons. The Government has refused the request of the Trades Hall council to repeal the law against flying the red flag until the signing of peace.

It is the intention of the defence authorities shortly to place on view a number of the war trophies and photographic enlargements that have been collected for the Australian War Museum. The trophies were captured by Australian units during engagements with the enemy on the Eastern and Western fronts, and, although few in number, they are very interesting, and typical of the complete collection, which will eventually be housed in the Australian War Museum. The main collections are at present stored in England, France and Egypt, and will be shipped to Australia as soon as shipping space is available. The trophies now being arranged for exhibition include a number of field guns and howitzers captured in Palestine, and many machine guns and trench mortars from France, together with a quantity of equipment and appliances, such as German gas masks, claxton horns (used as gas alarms), stretchers, bicycles, water bottles, wire cutters, mine exploders, ammunition pouches, spare parts for field guns, etc. It is anticipated that the collection of official photographs will prove of particular interest. Some of the enlargements are of an immense size, measuring 22 feet in length and from 6 feet to 7 feet in height. They include a number of typical war scenes in which Australian troops figured prominently.

Private G. Bishop returned from active service on Thursday night. The Mayor, Alderman Cameron. and the town clerk, Mr. W. Brown, and members of the patriotic committee, were present to extend him a welcome. The company was entertained by Mrs. Bishop, and the Mayor presided over the gathering. Mr W. Brown, secretary of the patriotic committee, proposed the toast of "The Guest," which was duly honoured, and acknowledged by Private Bishop.

Flight-lieutenant Ronald B. Wilson, of Adamstown, returned home Friday evening. He was met at Newcastle railway station by the Mayor, Alderman Cameron, and at the residence of his mother he received a hearty welcome. The Mayor presided, and gave Lieutenant Wilson a welcome home on behalf of the patriotic committee and citizens. Lieutenant Wilson had served his country in the trenches, and subsequently rendered great service in the Flying Corps. He commended him for the great part he had played in the war, along with his two brothers, and their mother should be proud of her three sons. Misses W. Brown, H. J. Bloomfield, J. A. Eaton, and D. McMaster joined in the Mayor's welcome to Lieutenant Wilson, who expressed his thanks for the welcome accorded him. Lieutenant Wilson has been away four years. He left with the infantry, and saw a deal of service in the trenches in France. After being wounded, he was transferred to the Flying Corps, where he distinguished himself. He is the youngest of three sons of Mrs. Wilson, of St. James' Road, Adamstown, who went to the war. One son, Captain Gordon Wilson, DCM, MC, is still abroad.

Mr and Mrs Rutherford, of Awaba, have been advised that their youngest son, John, is returning by the Euripides, due at Melbourne on April 16. He left with the 36th Battalion. He was twice wounded, and lost the sight of one eye at Messines. Since then he has been with the AAMC, in France. Mr and Mrs Rutherford's eldest son, Joseph, is expected home shortly. He enlisted in South Africa, and went through the Germen South-west campaign in the Light Horse, and through the East African campaign in the Field Artillery, and finished up in Palestine. Their second son, Thomas, is returning from England. He left Australia at the beginning of the war, and has been munition-making in England.

On his arrival home from the front, Sergeant W. Lee was met by a large assemblage at the Cockle Creek station, where Mr A.R. Young, president of the Farewell and Reception Home Committee, accorded him a welcome. A procession was formed, and on arrival at: Boolaroo, Councillor T.C. Frith welcomed the soldier on behalf of the residents of Boolaroo and district. Mr. Young then took the opportunity of welcoming Private Thurston, MM, and Corporal F. Botham, MM, who had previously returned home unknown to the Welcome Home Committee. The soldiers suitably responded. Sergeant Lee was on active service for three and a half years. He was attached to the original 30th Battalion, which sailed from Australia in 1915. This battalion first saw action in Egypt, helping to keep the Turks from the Suez canal. The battalion was then transferred to France, where Sergeant Lee saw some of the hardest fighting, and was gassed near Bullecourt. Mr and Mrs G. Bliss have received this official notification: "Sergeant G. A. Bliss, 34th Battalion, has been awarded the DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an advance through a wood in a dense fog, many men became separated from their units. Sergeant Bliss collected a scattered platoon, and led it forward, under a heavy barrage, until he joined up again with his company. He led a party of these men against a machine-gun post, capturing ten prisoners and three guns. Later with another party he captured two more guns, and 12 prisoners. He inspired his men with confidence, and was of great assistance to his company commander.

Company Q.M.S. Matchett, a returned Carrington solder, arrived home, and was met at the Newcastle railway station by the members of the welcome home committee and the Southern Cross Girls' League. In the absence of the Mayor, Alderman Lott, Mr F. McQuillan extended to him a welcome on behalf of the citizens of Carrington. At his home in Bourke Street a large concourse of residents gave him a hearty welcome. At the reception which was afterwards held, the Mayoress, Mrs Lott, on behalf of the citizens' committee, extended to Q.M.S. Matchett a welcome on his return home. Q.M.S. Matchett thanked them all for their kind reception, and particularly thanked the members of the Southern Cross League for the parcels he had received from them whilst in France. Q.M.S. Matchett left in 1915 for Gallipoli, at which place he was stationed for some time, being afterwards invalided home owing to injuries and shock. After regaining his health he joined up again with the 2nd Railway Unit, and left for France, and for some time was in hospital suffering from strained muscles of the heart. Prior to enlisting he was employed in the Railway Department at Port Waratah.

Lieutenant Burnett, DSM, MM, who enlisted in September, 1914, returned to Newcastle on Friday night. He was met at the station by the Mayor, Alderman E. Wilson, and conveyed to his residence in Cleary Street, where he was given an official welcome home by the Mayor and several leading residents. Lieutenant Burnett was at the landing at Gallipoli and afterwards went to France, where he was promoted from the ranks for conspicuous bravery. He was present at nearly all the big attacks, and was leading his company in the defence of Amiens. Lieutenant Burnett went all through the campaign without receiving a wound.

Sergeant George Tapp, son of Mr J. Tapp, of Kurri Kurri, who recently returned home, saw over three years' service on the Egyptian front, where he was engaged in the Remount Department. The work took him through the cities and towns of Palestine. Referring to Palestine, Sergeant Tapp says that the inhabitants were the most miserable, woebegone people imaginable. In the bazaars, where everything is sold, they first invoke the blessing of God, and then they proceed with their sales. He also said that there was always a peculiar odour existing throughout the cities and towns.