V.E. DAY CELEBRATIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 74, 22 May 1945, Page 4

V.E. DAY CELEBRATIONS

Sir, —With reference to "Local ■ Businessman's" I agree, tilings were a bit quiet on V.E. Day al- : though a few happy locals tried their best to cheer things up in the Strand. It is a well known fact that ; we New Zealanders are much too ■ conservative and it generally takes more than one over the eight to make us act otherwise. Even the best of parades that I have witnessed throughout New Zealand have a flatness due solely to lack of public response. It is hardly to our that battalions of gallant men left these shores to. fight a bloody war •with hardly a cheer to encourage them. It. is our duty therefore to | show ouv brave boys that the final conclusion of hostilities on all fronts can be celebrated in an appropriate manner. This opportunity , will kno;;k only once for us so I , propose that Whakatane citizens show New Zealand a thing or two in originality when that wonderful day dawns. As a South Islander I ; add here a few ideas to "Local BusiI nessman's" and they may be taken for what they're worth. Now a Vici tory Ball is expected but what of i those who can't attend. I s.ugges.t a . barbacue in the domain (such as in Song of Russia). This was very uni- ! que and could be done in picnic - style set around the fences (instead » of circles) this making for more ) room. Folk dances follow but these • could be replaced by old time dancl ing and waltzes etc. anil a piana I or band would do the musical honours. Dancing could be alternated with community singing and fancy plenty .of confetti etc. would add greatly to a carnival spirit. With the present shortage of crepe papers etc. I suggest flowers: should be put to better use ? such as to wear j in women's hair and worn as gar-< lands. This is pretty European habit, which is rarely seen else-; where, and would do full justice to such an occasion. I suggest fancy dress for the kiddies also j and they could be taught ' one or two sets of lances for the occasion so as not. to< be left out- of the fun. lonely or otherwise 5 deserve to be rooted out of the crowd and pelted with flowers (or what have you). lb would be an excellent idea to take up a collection a week or so in advance so as to supply our soldiers with a free drink all round. Thoy have done a great job of work arid it is up to us. to show them we appreciate their wonderful effort. Let Whakatane's forthcoming celebration be its brightest memory in these last few years of hell ? and after we have thanked God for deliverance and remembered our fallen and hundreds of aching hearts let us cast asid.e our conservatism for just one. day. Yours etc. "CONSERVATIVE TOO."