THE FINAL PEACE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 74, 22 May 1945, Page 5

THE FINAL PEACE

QUESTION OF LOCAL OBSERVANCE

TENTATIVE PLANNING URGED

"In view of the fact that we agreed to mark the V-E Day with only a Thanksgiving Serand' that our fullest efforts would be reserved for the final victory against I feel that we should set to work right now and start to organise for the full scale celebrations we have in mind," said Cr Canning at last week's meeting of the Whakatane Borough Council.

Cr Canning said he would like lo see a gala arranged which would bring to\yn and country together featuring;'" processions lor the children and adults carnivals and field

days. It was unfair to leave it all to the 'pubs,' and he considered that the Mayor should call a public mect'ing and invite suggestions-, and the setting up of a special Celebration Committee. It was uncertain just how soon would come the peace with Japan but in the.se days we had to be prepared for big tilings at any moment.

Cr Shapley considered the suggestion a good one. Particularly should they endeavour to impress upon the children the meaning of the celebration, and just how close the nation was to being beaten.

Cr Morpeth also supported the suggestion although, lie considered it a little premature as yet. Ho\v> ever an early start had its points lie conceded, and the news might come sooner than expected. He was supported also by Cr Armstrong who said it was. necessary for a committee with tentative arrangements in readiness to bring forward at short notice. The committee should embrace the Chamber of Commerce and the School Committee.

Cr Warren thought that a.i admirable feature to include in the celebrations would be an open air gathering at which all the men who had returned could be welcomed home officially. Many who had come back he said were still comparative strangers. He mentioned one local family with six sons in the lighting services two of whom had been 9 killed in action. "I would be willing enough to call the meeting," observed the Mayor "but I still think its a bit early, and that there is a big job to dm yet." Cr Canning: But wc don't want to be left standing. Wc should at least have the foundations of our plans made.. Cr Creeke thought that, the Japanese Empire would fall into line with Germany and be shortly faced with a sudden collapse. The Council decided to request the Mayor to call a public meeting at some date in June „to which would be especially invited members of local bodies from town and district. 5