CELEBRATING THE PEACE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 69, 1 May 1945, Page 5

CELEBRATING THE PEACE

GOVERNMENT'S LEAD GIVEN

HOLIDAYS AND THANKSGIVING

In a special statement last Saturday the Acting Prime Minister f Hon. Walter Nash said that although it was not possible to say when the end of hostilities would come about in Europe, in the meantime it wa% certain that Germany was beaten and doomed to extinction as a miliary power and that wasi a cause for great thanksgiving and jubilation. "Immediately after the official notification has been received the fact will be made known to the public by the ringing of bells and the sounding of sirens," said Mr Nash. "Flags will be flown and bunting displayed." It is anticipated that the circum-. stances of the event will permit of a formal pronouncement. This will be made by His Excellency the GovSir Cyril from the main steps of Parliament House or if the grounds arc not sufficiently restored from some other suitable place to be announced later. The national ceremony will be held one hour after the commencement of the ringing of bells. The ceremony will be broadcast on a Domin-ion-wide hook-up. The form which community celebrations shall take should the Government feels be left to the civic authorities themselves both Municipal and County throughout the Dominion. These ceremonies should not begin for at. least two hours after the ringing of bells. It is proposed that the Sunday following the announcement of the cessation of hostilities should be set aside as a day of prayer and thanksgiving and the Government invites the Heads of all churches in New Zealand to arrange for special services to be held in their church on that day. That portion of the day so remaining after the announcement as well as the following day will be paid holidays for all Government employees including casual labour and those working under awards. Those departments unable to close down entirely during the period mentioned will .be given equivalent pay or leave in lieu of pay for each worker employed on the days involved .

The Government invites all local authorities and. private employers to observe similar holidays with pay in the same manner as has been decided upon for Government employees. Schools throughout the Dominion will be closed for the two days referred to. Further details: in this connection will be communicated to the school authorities by the Minister of the Hon. H. G. R. Mason." LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS PLAN AS ARRANGED In accordance with its decision to hold a service of Thanksgiving at Pohaturoa Rock where the usual Anzac Service is His Worship the Mayor (Mr B. S. Barry) informed a BEACON representative yesterday that details for s!uch a ' service will be darried out at 11 a.m. the day following the announcement of Germany's capitulation. It is hoped that all town and country residents who desire to be present will rally to this point where an inspiring service of thanksgiving will take place. Mr Barry also appeals to shopkeepers and proprietors of premises! to fly flags and to display bunting on the declaration of peace in which will be signalised by the sounding of the siren and he hopes the ringing of Church bells.