PREMATURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 7, 17 September 1943, Page 5

PREMATURE

THE VICTORY CELEBRATIONS

BOROUGH COUNCIL'S VIEWS

Though the national celebrations announced by the Prime Minister to mark the capitulation of Italy,, for Saturday next, have since been abandoned it is

interesting to note the reaction of the Whakatane Borough Council to the long wire received by the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry) from the Prime Minister (the Hon. Peter Fraser) setting out the Dominion-wide plans for victory parades, displays and gatherings which had been planned.

"Well gentlemen," .said J\lr Barry alter reading the missive at last Monday evening's meeting, "I: have spoken to a number of businessmen about the. proposed celebrations and tliey were all of the same opinion— that it was too early for that sort ol' thing. We are by no means out of the war yet. Let us wait till the whole thing is; cleaned up and then have a proper peace demonstration."

He went on to say that there were people who expressed the opinion that to make u flourish at. this juncture, was to invite complacency. People would sit back and relax. He personally did not agree that it •was the correct time to stage such a thing. Though Italy had. capitulated, there was Germany still to overcome, let alone Japan. He intended •advertising a public meeting on [Wednesday and would be guided by •the opinion ol', those in attendance then. Personally he did not feel , justified in going ahead, with the outlined and he thought it foreign to the nature of British peoples to make a llambouyant display "when only part way to victory. When full victory was. attained there would be a spontaneous celebration which would not require organising. Cr Canning congratulated the ".Mayor on his stand and endorsed all . the points he had made. Cr Creeke said he was dead up .against that sort of thing. He thought it ridiculous. Cr Shapiey said that Avhile wishing to respect the wishes of the Prime Minister, he failed to see where any success could, attend such . a parade.