"FRANCE'S DAY"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 244, 3 July 1918, Page 6

"FRANCE'S DAY"

ARRANGEMENTS BEING COMPLETED. "France's Day" is really July 14—the French National Fete Day, which commemorates the taking of the Bastille, and Iho establishment for ever more of tho . rights of the democracy. As July 14 falls on a Sunday special efforts will be made to raise funds during the day or so before and after the National Fete Day. To that end full and complete arrangements aro being made by the committee and organiser (Captain W. M. Barclay). A special appeal has been 6cnt out. to the wool-growers throughout tho country, and this is being followed by a memorandum to the commercial and professional men throughout New Zealand, each and all of whom are quite aware of the awful travail through which France is passing at the present time. At a computation made two months ago 500,000 war orphans, mostly from the devastated districts of Northern France, were being cared for in Paris, as well as millions of semi-clothed half-starved refugees from the invaded departments. No western nation, barring Belgium, know 6 tiie real pain of war like Frajice does. Her fight for national existence is really tho fight for civilisation, and the great fearless battle she is offering is the outstanding wonder of the war. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Lalie) who, as chairman of tho committee, is keenly interested in the French appeal, has written personally to the Mayors of the othor centres, and already there are movements on foot to honour the French National Fete Day by making it the occasion of "New Zealand's Tribute to France." News from Sydney states that a big function is to lie held at the Town Hull there on July 15, at which nis Excellency the Governor will preside, and resolutions acknowledging France's superb aid to tho Allies will be passed. Similar action is being taken in Wellington. The Town Hall has been reserved for Hie evening of July 15. when a patriotic meeting will be held for tho purpose of publicly testifying the love and admiration wo bear towards our gallant Ally in these the days of her supreme trial. Jt. is anticipated that the Wellington public will rise to the occasion, nmi make the function worthy of tlie people ill whose honour it is being arranged. In the meantime the money continues to How into the fund (which has been established with the consent of tlie Minister of Internal Affairs). Any subscriptions sent to Thb Dominion. Messrs. Watkins, Hull, Hunt, and Wheeler (of Johnston Street). Mr. Walter Gorliam, or the Mayor (chairman of committee) will be. acknowledged with thanks.